CA2087639A1

CA2087639A1 - Reusable blister package

Info

Publication number: CA2087639A1
Application number: CA 2087639
Authority: CA
Inventors: David R. Thornhill; Carol J. Isaminger; John M. Pinkerton; David C. Roberts; James A. Warick
Original assignee: Newell Operating Co
Current assignee: Newell Operating Co
Priority date: 1992-02-11
Filing date: 1993-01-20
Publication date: 1993-08-12
Also published as: US5209354A; TW260651B

Abstract

ABSTRACT

An improved reusable blister package is provided which consists of a base member, a top member and a label sheet. The top member mateably engages the opening of the base member. The label sheet seals the package shut after manufacture and prior to purchase. The package is opened by pulling the label sheet and the top member out and away from the base member thereby tearing the label sheet along the upper and side portions of the top member. The label sheet located along the lower end of the top member remains untorn and provides a hinge mechanism connecting the lower end of the top member to the lower end of peripheral flange of the base member. The improved package provides an outwardly facing label sheet that is entirely available for graphic presentations of logos and other. product indicia.

Description

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Attorney Docket No.: NEW 462-U.S.

R~_~A~L~ B I~R PAC~AG~
This invention relates generally to blister packages for the retail display of s~all items, and more particularly, to such blister packages which are r~closable and therefore reusable by the consumer.

ACI~GRO~ND OF T}ll~ N'rION

Retailers and manu~acturers of small items, such as small hardware items, are constantly presented with the problem of properly displaying their goods on the shelf to the consumer.
Because items such as picture hangers, screws and tacks are no longer sold in bulk or by weight, such items must be packaged in manageable ~uantities ~or sale to the consumer. Such pacXages are normally of a rectangular shape with a hole through the top and are displayed on a wire-type carrier, or display hook, that extends horizontally outward from a rear shelf wall.

Conventionally, the goods are contained within a clear plastic portion, kno~n as the blister. The blister is mounted on a flat piece of cardboard or is bordered by a wide peripheral flange. Because the blister portion cannot be used for the display of trademarks and product information, the cardboard or flange bordering the blister must b~ large enough to dicplay this information. Thus, much of the shelf space consumed by a blister . :

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package is attributable to the display of trademarks and other product in~ormation, not containing the products themselves.
This is an inefficlent use of shelf-space; retailers sell products, not packages and packaging information.

Becaus~ packaging small items in these blister-type packages is a relatively inefficient use of shelf space or area in today's highly competitive retail environment, retailers will crowd the horizontally extending display hooks together thereby creating a crowded shelf appearance and making it difficult for the consumer to discern one product from another. A manu~acturer's products can be lost in the "sea" of competing products hanging on the numerous display hooks.

Thus, two competiny concerns are present. Retailers are concerned with making the best use of their available shelf space and floor space; manufacturers are concerned with product appearance and product identity. Both retailers and manufac~urers desire the entire shelf areas containing blister-type packages to have an attractive appearance. The present invention makes significant contributions to all of the above concerns. To appreciate the contributions made by the present invention to the blister package art, an understanding of the available blister packages and ~heir shortcomings is necessary.

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One conventional embodiment of a blister package include3 a clear blister or product containing portion that is glued over a piece of cardboard. The product is con~ained within the space between the blister and ~he s~i~f cardboard backing. While these types of blister packages axe the least exp~nsive to manufacture, they are the most inefficiPnt in term~ of sh~lf space. Cardboard mounted blister packages take up too much shelf space because the blister portion containing the product is not available for labeling or product identification; it is too di~ficult and too expensive to put a label on the blister itsalf. Therefore, the stiff cardboard backing must extend significantly beyond the outer periphery of the blister portion to adequately identify the manufacturer, the product specifications and display any logos.

Other blister-type packages that are reclosable or reusable are also known. These types of blister packages are normally manu~actured out of a single piece of clear plastic. The blister or product containing portion is integ:rally connected to the top or back member by a ~living hinge~ that joins the two parts. The package may be opened and closed repeatedly because at least one nesting surface on the product containing portion mates with a cooperating sur~ace on the top portion allowing the package to clos~ and op~n repeatedly. Bacause the top is not p~rmanently sealed or glued to the product containing portion, the package may be reopened and reclosed. Thus, the consumer can use the package as a container for the small products at home without the .:
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need for transferring the products to a different container such as a cup or a jar. The reusable blister concept has been received very favorably and is used for a variety of products.

However, current reclosable blister packages do not satisfy the product presentation and shelf space concerns of manufacturers and retailers alike addressed above. Namely, the product is still contained in a clear blister bubble which dominates the appearance of the package. In order for a manufacturer to properly identify the product and display its logo, a large outer periphery must extend subst~ntially beyond the blister portion. This large outer periphery wa~tes valuable shelf space. Thus, while the consumer has gained the benefits o~
a reusable package, the retailer's concern regarding wasted shelf space is largely unaddressed and th2 manufacturer still has little space on which to properly iden1:ify the product and display its logo.

Thus, there is a need for a new, improved reusable blister package that makes economical use o~ the retailer's limited shel~
space and still provides the manufacturer adequate space to identify its product. This problem has been solved by the present inven~ion.

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~ llSF D~3C~;IIP:I!IO~ OF l~B INV~IO~

An improved reusable blister package that efficiently uses shelf space while enabling a manufacturer to prominently display its logo, graphics and other indicia is provided as follows. The contain~r is manufactured from three separate parts: a base member, which includes the blister portion; a top member which serves as a lid; and a label she~t, or adhesive front sheet.
This assemblage being described from rear to front as the consumer would view the container hanging on a support hook.

The base member includes a product containing portion which is commonly referred to as the blister. The opening of the product containing portion is shaped so that it can mateably engage with the top member. A peripheral flange extends outward from and around the opening and beyond the outer periphery o~ the top member when the package is closed. At least one nesting surface ~or engaging the top member is provided inside the product containin~g portion just inside of the opening.

The top member is of the same general geometrical shape as the base member, only th~ outer periphery of the top member is smaller than the outer boundaries of the peripheral flange of the base memb~,ar. The top member is ~ized to mateably engage the base memk,er when the two are folded together. The top mf~mber includes an outwardly ext~nding wall which engages the nesting surface of , . ,. :

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the base member. The engagement of the wall and the nesting surface provide the mechanism which enables the container to be opened and reclosed repeatedly.

Finally, the label sheet oovers the top member and the outer portlon of th~ peripheral flange o~ the base member when the product is sealed by the manufacturer. Hence, the outer periphery of the top member must be inside of the outer periphery of the peripheral flange of the basa member to ensure an adequate seal by the adhesiva label sheet. The label sheet include~ a line o~ perforations that are in matching registry with the upper end and opposing sides of the outer periphery of the top member. The label sheet is not per~orated along the low~r end of the top member.
In the pref~rred embodiment, a pull tab consisting of the upper pexforation of the label sheet and the upper end of the top member is accessible to being gripped and pulled by the consumer.
The container is opened by pulling the pull tab outward and downward. A hinge mechanism is provid~d at the lower ends o~ the top member and the base member by the unperforated portion of the label sheet which remains in contact with lower outer peripheral flang~ of the base member.

The package is displayed by the retailer with the label sheet facing outward toward the consumer and the product ::
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containing portion of the base member facing inward toward the back of the shel~. Thus, the largest flat surface area of the package, which is bounded by the outer periphery of the peripheral flange of the base member, is available to the manu~acturer for graphics such as logos and product specifications. The "blister portion" or the product containing portion of the base member, which cannot e~ectively be used for labeling purposes, projects inward toward the rear o~ the shelf.
Therefore, no portion of the flat surface area which can be effectively used to display graphics is wasted. The package mak~s as efficient use of shelf space as possible while enabling the manufacturer to have more sur~ace area for graphics in a smaller package.

Thus, the pres~nt invention discloses a reusable blister package with an e~fective hinge provided by the lower end of the label sheet that is attractive to both retailers and manufacturers alike. The large, flat surface area facing the consumer enables the manufacture to display improved graphics and create a dramatic merchandizing effectO Because the label sheet, which faces outward toward the consumer, is a label, the graphics and~or color scheme may be easily changed by the manufacturer.
Retailers can now demand color coordinated or color coded groups of products ~rom a manufacturer.

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The package is also attractive to consumers because it provides the benefits of prior reclosable blister packages.
Namely, the consumer can still see the products before purchase and the package is a useful container for home use.

~ D~8CRIP~ION O~ TX~ DRA~ 8 This invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a front left perspective view of a reclosable blister package made in accordance with this invention;

. Figure 2 is a left side view of the reclosable blister package of Figure 1 with the top member and label sheet disengaged from ~he base member;

Figure 3 is a rear elevation view of the base member of the reclosable blister package of Figure l;

Figure 4 is a rear elevation view of the top member of the reclosable blister package of Figure l;

Figur~ 5 is a bottom view of the base member of the reclosable ~lister package of Figure l;

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Figure 6 is a partial and enlarged left side section view of the reclo~able blister pac~age shown in Figure 1, the upper end o~ the top member being engaged with the upper end of the opening of the base member, the package being in the closed position; and Figure 7 i5 a partial and enlarged left side section view of the reclosable blister package of Figure 1, the low~r end of the top member being engaged with the lower end of the base member, the package being in the closed position.
D~AILBD D~8CRIPTION_OF ?~ IN~NTION

Like re~erence ~umerals will be used to refer to like or similar parts from Figure to Figure in the following description of the drawing.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the reusable blister package 10 made in accordance with the present invention. The package consists essentially of three layers or plies of generally o~erlapping shee~ ma~erial, two of which are formed into three dimensional structures.

The first layer or ply, as viewed in Figure 2 and looking toward the left, is the flat label sheet 11 whose generally rectangular contour i~ best seen in Figure 1 and whose thickness ~.
is best appraciated in Figure 2 . The label sheet 11 fa ::es _ g ~ : , - , . . .

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outward toward the consumer and serves as a flat surface for the display o~ graphics and other product in~ormation. The label sheet ll covers the large surface area bordered by the outer periphery 12 of the base member 13 (5ee Figure 3). The label sheet entirely covers the generally pentagonal contour of the top member 14 (see Figures 1 and 4) when the top member 14 is in the closed position or is mateably engaged with the base member 13 (see Figure 3). As discussed in detail below, the label sheet 11 inçludes perforations 17 along the upper ends 19, 20 and two opposing sides 21, 22 of the top member 14 and remains unperforat~d along the lower end 24 of the top member 14. The lower, unperforated portion of the label sheet 11 provides a hinge mechanism 23 which pivotally joins the top member 14 to the base member 13.

The second of the three layers is tha top member 14. The top member 14 i~ disposed between the Elat label sheet ll and the base member 13. The outer periphery o:E the top member 14 is of a general pentagonal shape (see Figures :L and, especially, 4) but the protruding wall 26, which mateably engages the opening 18 (see ~igure 2) of the base member 13, has a generally rectangular contour. As best seen in Figure 2, the top member 14, in con~unction with label sheet 11, serves as a pivoting lid to the base me~ber 13. As discussed below, the top member 14 may be reopened and reclosed so the consumer can use the package 10 as a . .- . , -: , .:
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container at hom~ without trans~erring the goods to a different container such as a cup or a ~ar.

The third of the three layers is the base member 14. As best seen in Figures 2 and 3 the base member includes the blister, or product containing portion 30. The see-through product containing portion 30 ~aces the away from the consumer when the package is hung ~rom a display rack (not shown). In the preferred method of display, the label sheet 11, which includes logos and other graphic presentations, faces toward the consumer.
While the clear product containing portion 30 faces inward away from the consumer, it still enables the consu~er to view the products ba~ore purchase.

Referring to Figure 1, the hole 15 which is formed in all three layers, provides a means for hanging the package 10 on a horizontally extending display rack or hook (not shown).

To open the package 10, th~ consumer grasps the pull-tab 16 provided near the uppermost point of the perforation 17 in label sheet 11. The portion of the label sheet 11 which is co-extensive with the outer boundaries of the top member 14, and the top member 14 itself, are both pulled outward and downward from the base member 13 thereby tearing the perforation 17 along a path overlying the upper ends 19, 20 and opposing sides 21, 22 of the top ~ember 14. The label sheet 11 remains untorn along the .:

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hinge line indicated at 23 (see Figure 1). This portion of the label sheet along the lower end 24 of the top member l~ provides a hinge mechanism 23 enabling the top member 14 to remain pivotally connected to the bas~ member 13 after the initial opening alo~g the perforation 17. If the manufacturer does not require a significant amoun~ of space for graphics, a window 2g may be included in the label sheet ll which would enable the consumer to view the products without removing the package lo from the shelf.

Figure 2 illustrates the hinge, indicat~d at 23. The top member 14 and the portion of the label sheet ll adhering to t~e top member 14 are simultaneously pulled away from the base member 13. As discussecl above, the label she~t 11 is torn along the upper ends 19, 20 and opposing sides 21, 22 of the top member 14 (19 and 22 are not shown in Figure 2) but remains untorn along the lower end 24 o~ the top member 14 thereby providing the hinge 23. The top member 14 mateably engages the opening 18 (see Figure 2) of the base member 13 upon reclosure when the top surface 25 of the protru~ing wall 26 engages the nesting surface 27 (see Figures 2 and 3) located just inside the product containing portion 30 of the base member 13.

The base member 13 and the top membar 14 engage one another by a closure mechanism. The speci~ic location of th~i closure mechanism is not important. The closure mechanism of the :, : " : , :
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preferred ~mbodiment, which is best seen in Figure 2, is located a~ the nesting surface 27 of the upper end 31 of the product containing portion 30 of the base member 13, see Figure 2.
However, sther closure mechanisms may be provided along the sides 32, 33 of the product containing portion 30 and the opposing side walls 34, 35 of the top member 14. Further, the depth, indicated at 28, of the product containing portion 30 of the base memb~r 13 can be varied according to the quantity and size of the items to be contained therein.
Figure 3 is a rear elevation view of the base member 13.
The nesting surface 27 positively engages the top surface ~5 of the protruding wall 26 of the top member 14 (see Figure 4). Th~
nesting surface 27 extends slightly upward and outward (see Figure 6) from the body of base member 13 thereby creating a stacking surface 36. To provide level stacking for several base memb~rs 13 after manufacture, additional stacking surfaces 37, 40 are provided at the lower end o~ the base member 13. The alignme~t ribs 47-52 also make it easier to stack a series of base members 13 after manufacture. The upwardly extend~ng ribs 41, 42 and downwardly extending rib~ 43, 44 provide additional strength to the outwardly extending flange 45 of the base member 13.

Figure 4 is a rear side view of the top member 14. The outwardly extending wall, shown generally at 26, mateably engages ,,: , ' : , , 2 ~ 3 ~

with the opening 18 ~see Figure 2) of the product containing portion 30 of the base member 13. The upper surface 25 of the ~utwardly extending wall 26 positively engages the nesting ~surfaca 27 (see Figure~ 2, 3 and 6) to snap the top memher 14 shut when the reusable container 10 is closed. The perforation 17 of the label sheet 11 (see Figure 1) is in matching registry with the upper ends 19, 20 and opposing sides 21, 22 of the outer periphery of the top member 14. The upper ends 19, 20 of the top member 14 form an upwardly extending flange which forms part of the pull-tab mechanism 16.

Figure 5 is a bottom view of the hase member 1~ shown in Figure 3. As shown above, the stacking surfaces 37, 40 provide a ~ -level stacking surface to complement the stacking surface 36 adjacent to the nesting sur~ace 27 (s~e Figure 6). The size of the peripheral flange 45 can be varied according to the amount of graphic space desired, but need extend only slightly beyond the outer periphery 46 of th~ top member 14.

Figure 6 further illustrates the closure mechanism located at the upper ends 19, 20 of the top member 14 and the ltpper end 31 o~ the ~ase member 13. The top outwardly protruding wall 25 positively angages the nesting surface 27. Because the material comprising the base me~ber 13 and top member 14 is preferably a resilie~t material like polystyrene, the top wall 25 simply snaps into place as shown upon the application of manual pressure.

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Figure 7 illustrates the precise location of the hinge 23.
The hinge 23 connects the lower end 24 of the top member 14 to the peripheral flanqe 45 o~ tAe base member 13. The bottom outwardly extending wall 54 of the top me~ber 14 is free to pivot upward and outward out of the lower nesting surface 55 of the base member 13.

Thus, a reclosable blister package 10 is provided which includes a hinge 23 consisting o~ the untorn portion of the label sheet 11. The hinge 23 flexibly connects the lower end 24 of the top member 14 to the lower end (see Figure 3~ of the peripheral flange 45 of the base member 13. The result is a reclosable blister package 10 that provides ample room for enhanced gxaphics on the label sheet 11. The entire surface area of th~ label sheet 11 is available for the display of logos, product specifications and other advertising information. No ~lat surface space that faces the consumer as the packages hang on a display rack is was~ed.

Retailers are extremely pleased be.cause the packages use shelf space economically. Oversize~ cardboard backing or wide ~langes are no longer necessary for blister-type pacXages.
Manufacturers favor this invention because of the lncreased surface area provided on la~el sheet 11 that is now available for graphics. Given the increased area for graphics, manufacturers .
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are able to create a more aesthetically pleasing package which, of course, is also attractive to consumers and retailers.

The preferred ma~@rial of cons~ruction is polystyrene for all three components, the base member 13, the top member 14 and the label sheet ll. Th0 label sheet ll is thinner than both the top member 14 and the base member 13 thereby enabling it to be peeled back and torn along tha per~oration 17 easily. Because all three components may be made of the same material, recycling is simplified. No separation o~ certain components from others is required.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described, it will at once be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations may be made within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of the invention be limited solely by the scope of the hereafter appended claims and not by the specific wording in the foregoing description.

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Claims

1. A resealable dispensing container comprising:
a base member;
a top member;
a label sheet;
the base member having a product containing portion formed therein, the product containing portion including an opening for engaging the top member, the opening being bordered by an upper end portion, a lower end portion, and two opposing side portions, a peripheral flange extending outward from the upper end portion, lower end portion and opposing side portions of the opening, the peripheral flange further extending beyond the top member when the base member and top member are engaged with one another, the peripheral flange including a front side, the product containing portion of the base member also including at least one nesting surface disposed inside the product containing portion;
the top member being bordered by an upper end, a lower end, and two opposing sides, the upper end, lower end and two opposing sides of the top member forming a wall, the wall mateably engaging the opening and engaging the nesting surface of the product containing portion when the top member and base member are engaged with one another, the top member also having a front side; and the label sheet having an upper end, a lower end and two opposing sides, the label sheet carried by the front side of the top member and the front side of the peripheral flange of the base member that extends beyond the top member, the label sheet including a separating means, the separating means being in matching registry with the upper end of the top member and the opposing sides of the top member, the label sheet being constructed and arranged to separate along the upper end and the opposing sides of the top member and remaining unseparated along the lower end of the top member and the lower end portion of the base member when the upper ends and opposing sides of the top member and label sheet are pulled away from the base member, the unseparated portion of the label sheet providing a hinge at the front side of the lower end of the top member and the front side of the peripheral flange at the lower end portion of the base member.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein one nesting surface of the product containing portion is disposed inside the product containing portion and adjacent to the upper end portion of the opening of the base member.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein one nesting surface of the product containing portion is disposed inside the product containing portion and adjacent to the lower end portion of the opening of the base member.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the upper end of the top member further includes an upwardly extending flange, the upwardly extending flange including a tab means whereby the upwardly extending flange of the top member and upper end of the label sheet are easily grasped and simultaneously pulled away from the upper end portion of the base member.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein the top member consists essentially of polystyrene.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein the base member consists essentially of polystyrene.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein the label sheet consists essentially of polystyrene.

8. The container of claim 1, wherein the separating means of the label sheet is a line of perforations in matching registry with the upper end and opposing sides of the top member.

9. The container of claim 1, wherein the label sheet is constructed and arranged to tear along the upper end and opposing sides of the top member and remain untorn along the lower end of the top member.

10. A resealable dispensing container comprising:
a product containing means;
a closure means;
a sealing means;
the product containing means including a product containing portion, the product containing portion including a female mating means for accommodating a male mating means of the closure means when the product containing means and the closure means are engaged with one another, the product containing means including a lower end portion;
the closure means including a male mating means for cooperating with the female mating means of the product containing means when the product containing means and closure means are folded together, the closure means including a lower end portion;
the sealing means adhering the closure means with the product containing means, the sealing means including a separation means whereby the sealing means separates substantially along common boundaries of the product containing means and the closure means and remains unseparated along a lower end portion of the sealing means: and the unseparated portion along the lower end portion of the sealing means providing a hinge means at the lower end portion of the product containing means and the lower end portion of the closure means.