U.S. patent application number 11/924750 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-08 for biodegradable blister package.
Invention is credited to David H. Hawes, Michael P. Wade.
Application Number | 20080105587 11/924750 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39345280 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080105587 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hawes; David H. ; et
al. |
May 8, 2008 |
BIODEGRADABLE BLISTER PACKAGE
Abstract
A biodegradable blister package comprising polylactic acid resin
is disclosed. The blister package includes a blister portion made
of a biodegradable material and a clamshell portion having a first
half and a second half, wherein the blister portion is at least
partially between the first and the second halves of the clamshell
portion. The clamshell portion comprises a substrate material
including at least one layer of paperboard and at least one layer
of polylactic acid adhered to the paperboard layer.
Inventors: |
Hawes; David H.; (Raleigh,
NC) ; Wade; Michael P.; (Raleigh, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION
1021 MAIN CAMPUS DRIVE, CENTENNIAL CAMPUS
RALEIGH
NC
27606
US
|
Family ID: |
39345280 |
Appl. No.: |
11/924750 |
Filed: |
October 26, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60857035 |
Nov 6, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/532 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B32B 27/10 20130101;
Y02W 90/13 20150501; Y02W 90/10 20150501; Y02W 90/12 20150501; B65D
73/0092 20130101; B65D 65/466 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/532 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/04 20060101
B65D083/04 |
Claims
1. A blister package, including: (a) a blister portion comprising a
biodegradable material; and (b) a clamshell made of a substrate
comprising: (i) a layer of paperboard having a first surface and a
second surface, and (ii) a layer of polylactic acid on the first
surface of the paperboard layer, wherein the clamshell portion has
a first half and a second half, and the blister portion is at least
partially between the first and the second halves of the clamshell
portion.
2. The blister package of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises
a member selected from the group consisting of solid bleached
sulfate (SBS), coated natural kraft, folding boxboard, recycled
board, unbleached board, and combinations thereof.
3. The blister package of claim 1, wherein the substrate further
includes a coating layer on the second surface of the paperboard
layer.
4. The blister package of claim 3, wherein the coating layer
comprises a member selected from the group consisting of clay,
titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate, and combinations thereof.
5. The blister package of claim 1, wherein the substrate further
includes a coating layer on the layer of polylactic acid.
6. The blister package of claim 5, wherein the coating layer
comprises a member selected from the group consisting of clay,
titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate, and combinations thereof.
7. The blister package of claim 1, wherein the substrate further
includes an adhesive layer.
8. The blister package of claim 7, wherein the adhesive layer
comprises polyvinyl alcohol.
9. The blister package of claim 1, wherein the substrate further
includes an adhesive layer between the first surface of the
paperboard layer and the layer of polylactic acid.
10. The blister package of claim 9, wherein the adhesive layer
comprises polyvinyl alcohol.
11. The blister package of claim 1, wherein the first and second
halves of the clamshell portion are connected at a score line.
12. The blister package of claim 1, wherein the first and second
halves of the clamshell portion include slots aligned to form a
single slot when the clamshell portion is folded in half at the
score line.
13. The blister package of claim 1, wherein the first half of the
clamshell portion includes an opening or cut out portion to receive
the blister portion there through.
14. The blister package of claim 1, wherein the blister portion
includes a receiving portion and a flange.
15. The blister package of claim 1, wherein the biodegradable
material for the blister portion includes polylactic acid.
16. The blister package of claim 1, wherein the biodegradable
material for the blister portion includes a material comprising:
(i) a layer of paperboard having a first surface and a second
surface, and (ii) a layer of polylactic acid on the first surface
of the paperboard layer.
Description
[0001] This non-provisional application relies on the filing date
of provisional U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/857,035 filed on Nov.
6, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference, having been
filed within twelve (12) months thereof, and priority thereto is
claimed under 35 USC .sctn.1.19(e).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Blister packages, clamshell packages and other like
packaging structures (collectively referred to herein as "blister
packages") have been used to package various consumer goods, such
as pharmaceuticals, electronics, health and beauty products and the
like. Blister packages are available in a wide variety of shapes,
sizes and configurations according to their applications.
[0003] Traditionally, blister packages are formed from a substrate
material that includes a paperboard layer having a first surface
coated with a printable material such as clay, a second surface
having a layer of extruded plastic adhered thereto, and an adhesive
material such as ethylene methyl-acrylate copolymer applied over
the extruded plastic layer. The resulting substrate may be sealable
by, for example, a heated platen, radio frequency energy and/or
ultrasonic energy.
[0004] Plastics such as polyethylene have been used for blister
packaging applications. After discarded, substantial energy is
required for burning and disposing these plastics. Furthermore,
these plastics decompose slowly in natural environments due to
their chemical stability and thus semi-permanently remain in the
soil.
[0005] To address these concerns, extensive efforts have recently
been spent on developing biodegradable materials for packaging
applications. One type of biodegradable materials is polylactic
acid (PLA) resin, since it decomposes by microorganisms naturally
present in soils into harmless substances. PLA is derived from
plants, and minimum energy is required in decomposition.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 7,128,969 disclosed a biologically-degradable,
thermoformed package made from biaxially-drawn film that is moulded
by application of pneumatic and/or mechanical forces. The
biaxially-drawn film comprises a base layer containing a polymer
made from at least one hydroxycarboxylic acid and .gtoreq.0.2 wt %,
based on the weight of the layer, of a thermoplastic polymer
selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene,
and aromatic polyester.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 7,235,287 disclosed biodegradable laminated
sheet including at least two layers. Each layer is made of a resin
composition comprising 75-25% wt of a polylactic acid, and 25-75%
wt of a polyester resin having a glass transition temperature not
exceeding 0.degree. C. and a melting point higher than the glass
transition temperature of the polylactic acid but not exceeding the
melting point of the polylactic acid.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 7,173,080 describes a biodegradable resin
composition for molding application comprising a biodegradable
polymer; phyllosilicate containing a primary, secondary or tertiary
amine salt, a quaternary ammonium salt or a phosphonium salt; and
at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a
polyalkylene oxide, an aliphatic polyester, a polyalcohol ester and
a polycarboxylic acid ester, having a boiling point of not lower
than 250.degree. C. and a number-average molecular weight of
200-50,000. The biodegradable polymer comprises polylactic acid
having a melting point of not lower than 160.degree. C. and a
biodegradable polyester resin having a melt flow rate of 0.1-50
g/10 mm.
[0009] There is still a need for a blister package that is
environmental friendly and its disposal of the blister package
after use does not contribute to landfill problem which is common
with current non-biodegradable blister packages.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0010] The present disclosure relates to a blister package
including a blister portion made of a biodegradable material and a
clamshell portion having a first half and a second half, wherein
the blister portion is at least partially between the first and the
second halves of the clamshell portion. The clamshell portion
comprises a substrate material including at least one layer of
paperboard and at least one layer of polylactic acid adhered to the
paperboard layer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one aspect of the
disclosed blister package substrate material;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of another aspect of the
disclosed blister package substrate material;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another aspect of the
disclosed blister package substrate material;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of one aspect of a clamshell
portion of a biodegradable blister package formed from the
disclosed blister package substrate material
[0015] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of one aspect of a blister
of a biodegradable blister package adapted to engage the clamshell
portion of FIG. 4; an
[0016] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of one aspect of the
disclosed biodegradable blister package including the clamshell
portion of the FIG. 4 and the blister portion of FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0017] The following detailed description illustrates an embodiment
of the present invention; however, it is not intended to limit the
scope of the appended claims in any manner.
[0018] FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the substrate suitable for
use in the blister package of the present disclosure. The substrate
(100) may include a paperboard layer (101) having a first surface
(102) and a second surface (103), and a PLA layer (104) adhered to
the first surface (102) of the paperboard layer (101). When
desired, a layer of coating (105) may be applied to the second
surface (103) of the paperboard (101) to enhance printability of
text and/or graphics. The coating layer is selected based on
compatibility with the printing method and the composition of
paperboard. For example, the coating layer may include clay,
titanium dioxide and/or calcium carbonate.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the substrate suitable
for use in the blister package of the present disclosure. The
substrate (200) may include a paperboard layer (201) having a first
surface (202) and a second surface (203), a PLA layer (204)
extruded over the first surface (202) of the paperboard layer
(201), a layer of polylactic acid film (205) positioned over the
extruded polylactic acid layer (204), and optionally, a PLA layer
(206) extruded over the PLA film (205). When desired, the layer of
coating (207) may be applied over the second surface (203) of the
paperboard layer (201) to enhance printability.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the substrate suitable
for use in the blister package of the present disclosure. The
substrate (300) may include a paperboard layer (301) having a first
surface (302) and a second surface (303), an adhesive layer (304)
positioned over the first surface (302) of the paperboard layer
(301), a layer of polylactic acid film (305) positioned over the
adhesive layer (304) and, optionally, a second adhesive layer (306)
positioned over the polylactic acid film layer (305). When desired,
the layer of coating (307) may be applied over the second surface
(303) of the paperboard layer (301) to enhance printability.
[0021] The adhesive layers may include any biodegradable adhesive
capable of bonding to the PLA film layer and/or the paperboard
layer. For example, the adhesive layers may include polyvinyl
alcohol.
[0022] The paperboard suitable for use in the present disclosure
may be any conventional grades. These include, but are not limited
to, solid bleached sulfate (SBS), coated natural kraft, folding
boxboard, recycled board, and unbleached board. The grade of
paperboard is selected based on the desired appearance of the final
package.
[0023] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the paperboard
has a caliper of about 0.010 inches or greater. In one embodiment
of the present disclosure, the paperboard has a caliper range of
about 0.011 inches to about 0.014 inches. An example of such a
substrate is a 12-point SBS board manufactured by MeadWestvaco
Corporation. The paperboard layer 12 may also be an unbleached
board, depending on the desired appearance of the final
package.
[0024] In one embodiment, the PLA layer is applied as a layer of
polylactic acid extruded on to the first surface of the paperboard.
In one embodiment, a layer of polylactic acid film is laminated to
the first surface of the paperboard.
[0025] At this point, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
various numbers and combinations of layers of polylactic acid,
whether as an extruded layer, a film or the like, and biodegradable
adhesive may be applied onto paperboard substrate layer to form a
blister package substrate material within the scope of the present
disclosure
[0026] In FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of the clamshell portion
(400) of the disclosed blister package. The clamshell portion (400)
may be formed from the substrate materials (100), (200), or (300)
discussed above. For example, the clamshell portion (400) may be
formed by die cutting a sheet of blister packaging substrate
material (100), (200), or (300), or by any other available
means.
[0027] The clamshell portion (400) may include a first half (401)
and a second half (402), wherein the first and second halves (401
and 402) are connected at a score line (403). The first half (401)
may include an opening or cut out portion (404) sized and shaped to
receive a blister (see blister 500 in FIG. 5). Those skilled in the
art will appreciate that the clamshell portion (400) may include a
number of openings (404) to accommodate multiple blister
portions.
[0028] Optionally, the clamshell portion (400) may include slots
(405, 406) that are positioned such that the slots (405, 406) are
aligned to form a single slot (601 in FIG. 6) when the clamshell
portion (400) is folded in half at the score line (403). The single
slot (601) may be sized and shaped to receive a rod or peg of a
display unit there through.
[0029] FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of the blister portion (500) of
the disclosed biodegradable blister package, which may include a
receiving portion (501) and a flange (502). The receiving portion
(501) may be sized and shaped to receive an item, such as a
pharmaceutical tablet or an electronic device, therein. For
example, the receiving portion (501) may be generally hemispherical
in shape and may be sized to closely receive an item therein. The
receiving portion (501) of the blister (500) may pass through the
opening (404 in FIG. 4) in the clamshell portion (400 in FIG.4),
while the flange (502) may restrict the blister (500) from
completely passing through the opening (404). For example, when the
blister (500) is generally circular in top view, the flange (502)
may have a greater diameter than the diameter of the opening (404)
such that only the receiving portion (501) of the blister (500)
passes through the opening (404).
[0030] The blister (500) may be formed from any biodegradable
material. In one aspect, the blister (500) may be formed by molding
polylactic acid into the desired shape. In another aspect, the
blister (500) may be formed by pressing a sheet of polylactic acid
over a form mold having the desired shape. In another aspect, the
blister (500) may be formed by thermoforming a piece of the
disclosed blister package substrate material (100), (200), or (300)
into the desired shape.
[0031] FIG. 6 shows one embodiment of the biodegradable blister
package of the present invention (600). The disclosed blister
package (600) may be formed by positioning the receiving portion
(501) of the blister (500) through the opening (404) in the
clamshell portion (400), placing an item (not shown) into the
receiving portion (501) and folding the clamshell portion (400) at
the score line (403) such that the polylactic acid and/or adhesive
layers of the first and second halves (401, 402) of the clamshell
portion (400) contact each other. The coating layer (102, 207,
307), if applied, is external of the blister package (600).
[0032] The blister package 600 may be sealed by placing the folded
blister package 600 between two platens and applying heat and/or
pressure. However, any available sealing techniques may be
used.
[0033] Although various aspects of the disclosed biodegradable
blister package have been shown and described, modifications may
occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the
specification.
[0034] The foregoing description relates to embodiments of the
present invention, but it is to be understood that changes and
modifications may be made therein as will be apparent to those
skilled in the art. Such variations are to be considered within the
scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
* * * * *