U.S. patent application number 12/137915 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-17 for blister pack with opener.
Invention is credited to Gerald Joseph Le Clair.
Application Number | 20090308781 12/137915 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41413784 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090308781 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Le Clair; Gerald Joseph |
December 17, 2009 |
Blister Pack With Opener
Abstract
A blister pack with opener of a bonded or welded sheet-sheet
design having a transparent top layer with blister, an adhesive
layer or welded perimeter, a means for displaying the blister pack,
a means for gripping the blister pack and a means for opening the
blister pack. (Optional--a means for allowing the inclusion of
additional information about the product and a means for detecting
the opening of the product) The design of the blister pack assembly
FIG. 1 includes a backplane 13, a blister layer 14, an adhesive
layer 20 to permanently affix the backplane to the blister layer, a
counter-pull ring 5 to allow the user to control the pack while
opening, a tear wire pull ring 8 attached to the first end of a
tear wire 7 to allow the user to apply a tensile force sufficient
to cause the tear wire to cut through the pack, a tear wire channel
10 to house the tear wire 7, a means for weakening the tear wire
channel so that the tear wire may be deployed without undo force.
This means may be perforation 12, a thinning of the material that
forms the roof of the channel, or a change of material along the
tear wire path such as aluminum foil or a similar substitute. Said
assembly includes a deformation 11 in the blister layer to allow
sufficient space to enclose the intended product, an anchor 17 to
permanently affix the second end of the tear wire to the backplane
13, a joint 6 to allow the attachment of the tear wire ring 8 to
the tear wire 7 and a joint 16 to allow the attachment of the tear
wire 7 to the tear wire anchor 17, a removable service disk 9
temporarily attached to the inside perimeter of the pull ring 8 and
containing an aperture 15 for product display
Inventors: |
Le Clair; Gerald Joseph;
(West Melbourne, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Gerald J. Le Clair
791 Conestee Dr.
W. Melbourne
FL
32904
US
|
Family ID: |
41413784 |
Appl. No.: |
12/137915 |
Filed: |
June 12, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/532 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2575/366 20130101;
B65D 75/366 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/532 |
International
Class: |
B65D 75/36 20060101
B65D075/36 |
Claims
1. A blister pack assembly of transparent sheet-sheet construction,
said assembly comprising a bottom sheet that forms one halve of the
envelope and a top sheet deformed to create a cavity in which an
object may be contained.
2. The assembly recited in claim 1 further including a means for
suspension on a display
3. The assembly recited in claim 1 further including a means for
opening said assembly, said opening means to include a channel to
house a wire wherein said wire is attached at the first end to a
removable ring and at the second end is permanently affixed and
anchored to the bottom sheet of said assembly
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] None
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not Applicable
SEQUENCE LISTING
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The Blister pack with opener relates to the means for
separating a standard generic retail blister pack into two halves
for easy access to the product(s) therein.
[0006] 2. Prior Art
[0007] Every year millions of products are sold in plastic blister
packs that essentially form a clear hard transparent shell over the
product. They are popular with manufacturers as they are
inexpensive, accommodate any shape product, protect the product
from dirt and moisture and are see-through allowing the customer to
see exactly what they are buying. However, they have one serious
drawback--they are difficult and potentially dangerous to open.
Nearly always, some kind of tool is required; either a knife,
scissors, razor. When using a knife or razor considerable force
must be exerted to force the blade through the pack and steer it
along the edge which is downward dangerous as it provides the
possibility of a severe cut to the hands. Certain tools are on the
market to open blister packs but one must buy the tool, keep it
handy and if necessary periodically sharpen it. The Blister pack
with opener is to build into the blister pack a means for opening
it safely and conveniently. Said means will perform properly
regardless of the size or shape of the blister pack.
[0008] A patent search has revealed the following patents under the
heading of "Blister Pack Opener" and "Blister Pack". As there were
2393 entries under "Blister Pack" the search criteria for reference
was restricted blister packs with the following characteristics as
these define the field in which the Blister pack with opener
competes: [0009] Non-hinged welded blister packs [0010] Utility
blister packs [0011] Generic blister packs that is those not
intended for a specific product or medication [0012] Non-reusable
blister packs [0013] Non-dispensing blister packs Under the
above
TABLE-US-00001 [0013] Name U.S. Pat. No. Date Ewing; William D
5,236,749 Aug. 17, 1993 Hagner; Hans 5,307,934 May 3, 1994 Vaessen;
Leonardus H. F. 6,155,414 Dec. 5, 2000 Logan; Alan George 6,513,655
Feb. 4, 2003 Gould; Phillip John Logan; Alan George 6,789,676 Sep.
14, 2004 Gould; Phillip John Kancsar; Peter 6,705,467 Mar. 16, 2004
Zellweger; Laurenz, Krohn; Michael, Schmauder; Claudia, Marti;
Susanne Kalvelage; John D 6,802,422 Oct. 12, 2004 Salditch; Ian E.
Nickey, Jr.; Galen Ots; Toomas Briscoe; Gary Malcolm 7,207,440 Apr.
24, 2007
Review by Patent Number
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,749--A blister packaging system is
disclosed that is a sheet/film or sheet/sheet package designed to
be easily recycled and may be of materials that have a high
recycled content without degradation in performance. The blister
package is composed of a thermoformed or vacuum formed front
blister made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), PET-G or R-PET
which may have a significant pre or post-consumer recycled content
sealed to a back film or sheet made from polyethylene which may
also have a significant pre or post consumer recycled content. The
film or sheet back may be printed on either or both sides and is
coated on one side with an adhesive which bonds to the blister in
the filling/sealing process.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,934--In a blister pack for packaging an
article and composed of a perforated lower plastic backing part and
an upper, cut plastic cover part which at least partly surrounds
and conforms closely to the article and is connected with the
backing part so that the backing part and the cover part completely
enclose the article, the backing part and the cover part each
including at least a layer made of a single type of plastic and
being heat sealed together in a defined area, the backing part and
the cover part each constitute a transparent hard foil, and the
backing part is provided with perforations of such a size that
portions of the cover part engage in the perforations in a manner
to plug the perforations in the area where the backing part and the
cover part are heat sealed together.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,414--The invention discloses a blister
package which includes a transparent box with an open side which is
attached at a flange at its open side to a front page of a booklet.
The booklet is kept closed by a removable connection strip and can
be opened or examined, only, then when the package is opened. The
package can be hung at a slot present in a bridging strip which is
connected with a back strip, the front page, a back page and the
connection strip. The front of the package may be covered with a
cover page having an opening through which the box protrudes and
remains visible.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 6,513,655--A blister pack comprises a support
card with a transparent plastics blister at the rear of the card.
The card closes an open side of the blister to enclose product
within the blister. The front face of the card is laminated with a
transparent plastic sheet and includes a window through which the
contents of the blister can be viewed from the front of the
pack.
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,676--A blister pack, said pack
comprising a support card with a transparent plastics blister at
the rear of the card, the card closing an open side of the blister
to enclose product within the blister, the front face of the card
being laminated with a transparent plastics sheet and including a
window through which the contents of the blister can be viewed from
the front of the pack.
[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 6,705,467--A blister package with a bottom
part with at least one depression and a cover film that is fastened
to the bottom part, covers the depressions and can be forced
through, the depressions containing a product to be withdrawn. A
cover layer covers the cover film and contains sections that can be
forced through and others that cannot be forced through. The
depression in the rest position of the blister package, is located
at least partially or completely above a section of the cover layer
that cannot be forced through. In order to expose the product to be
withdrawn, the depression is displaced across a section in the
cover layer that can be forced through by way of a lateral movement
with respect to the cover layer. The product to be withdrawn can
then be forced through the cover film and the cover layer.
[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 6,802,422--A sealed blister assembly is made
up of a plastic sheet and a plastic lid. The plastic sheet and
plastic lid are joined together to form a impermeable seal. The
seal is formed by engagement of an undercut in the plastic sheet
and a shoulder in the plastic lid. A plastic sheet and/or plastic
lid are made from a polymer such as low density polyethylene to
obtain the impermeable seal.
[0021] U.S. Pat. No. 7,207,440--A blister pack of a translucent
plastics material and having a recessed front part for receiving
and containing an article to be packaged, and a back part having a
relieved portion for insertion into a recessed portion of the front
part for closure of the pack. The front part has a plinth with an
inwardly projecting ridge, and back part forms a plinth having an
outwardly projecting lip which becomes inter-engaged with the ridge
to lie wholly within the plinth of the first part thus to be
largely inaccessible and thus prevent premature opening of the
pack. The front part has a surrounding flange with a formation
which gives the appearance of a weld thus to deter attempts to open
the pack prematurely.
Summary of Disadvantages of Prior Art
[0022] The Blister pack with opener is without precedent. There are
no examples of prior art that incorporate a built in means for
opening a blister pack. For this reason, the Blister pack with
opener is considered unique, novel and un-obvious.
[0023] 3. Objects and Advantages
Objects of the Blister pack with opener are to: [0024] Provide a
blister pack with a means of opening built into the blister pack
[0025] Provide a blister pack that has a one-time use thereby
precluding illicit substitution of unauthorized contents [0026]
Provide a blister pack that may be treated in the same manner by
both retailer and consumer, as previous blister packs.
[0027] Provide a blister pack that has been adapted to work with a
wire that is fixed and positioned so that tension on the wire cuts
the blister pack essentially in half by separating the upper and
lower surfaces
Advantages of the Blister pack with opener are as follows: [0028]
1. No separate tools are required--the means to open the pack are
included in the pack. [0029] 2. No sharp tools are required thereby
reducing the chance of personnel injury and precluding the
periodically sharpening of said tool. [0030] 3. Reduced
effort--even sharp tools require considerable force to one) hold
the pack steady while bringing the tool to bear and two) forcing
the blade along an undefined path through the plastic blister.
Because the tear wire channel is well defined and pre-conditioned
to separate by either perforation, a recessed groove along the
intended path of separation or some other means, using the tear
wire requires a minimum of effort and separates the pack in a
pre-determined manner. [0031] 4. The redesigned blister pack
provides a counter pull aperture to give the user additional
leverage when using the tear wire. [0032] 5. A security strip
(optional) may be placed at the beginning of the tear path to give
an indication that the pack has been at least partially opened.
[0033] 6. Once the pack is opened it is unusable. It can not be
used to substitute an unintended item in the pack at the bar coded
price.
SUMMARY
[0034] In accordance with the present invention, a blister pack
having a tear wire channel, a counter pull finger hole, a tear
wire, a means for anchoring the tear wire and a means for pulling
the tear wire from the blister pack in which it is embedded.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Figures
[0035] FIG. 1--Blister pack with opener showing all features
viewable on the face of the blister pack
[0036] FIG. 2--View of Cross section A-A shows lengthwise layers
from top to bottom including location and orientation of the
counter pull ring, service disk, pull ring, blister, tear wire,
tear wire channel, blister layer and backplane
[0037] FIG. 3--View of Cross section B-B shows cross section layers
from top to bottom including a blister layer, anchor, display
aperture, pull ring, security strip, adhesive layer, service disk
and backplane
[0038] FIG. 4--Blister pack after deployment of tear wire.
DRAWINGS
Reference Numerals
[0039] 5. Counter pull ring [0040] 6. Tear wire pull ring joint
[0041] 7. Tear wire [0042] 8. Tear Wire Pull Ring [0043] 9. Service
disk [0044] 10. Tear wire channel [0045] 11. Blister [0046] 12.
Tear wire perforation (or other weakening means) [0047] 13.
Backplane [0048] 14. Blister layer [0049] 15. Display aperture
[0050] 16. Tear wire anchor joint [0051] 17. Tear Wire Anchor
[0052] 18. Service Disk Perforation (or other weakening means)
[0053] 19. Pull Ring Perforation (or other weakening means) [0054]
20. Adhesive Layer (or thermal weldment) [0055] 21. Product
Information Sheet (Optional) [0056] 22. Security Strip
(Optional)
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Preferred Embodiment
[0057] A blister pack is essentially a two layer sandwich of
plastic with the upper layer deformed into a bubble in
approximately the middle of the assembly to allow an object to be
enclosed therein. A blister pack with opener includes a means, in
this case a tear wire, for separating the top and bottom layers to
allow access to the contents.
[0058] A counter pull ring 5 is necessary to allow the user to
firmly grasp the blister pack while extending the tear wire 7 to
open it. It is a re-enforced aperture (as shown by the bold line)
sized to accommodate the largest of fingers. It is intended to be
used with the index finger but the user is free to use it in any
manner he or she so chooses for instance putting it on a hook for
greater leverage.
[0059] A tear wire pull ring joint 6 is a generic attachment
requiring only sufficient strength to withstand a one-time
application of the tension required to open the pack. Any suitable
manufacturing means may be used.
[0060] A tear wire 7 is a thin metal wire attached on the first end
to the pull ring 8 and on second end to the tear wire anchor 17.
When deployed it cuts through the blister layer 14 along a
pre-defined path, the tear wire channel 10 to cause the blister
layer 14 to separate from the backplane 13. It is the essence of
the present invention.
[0061] A tear wire pull ring 8 is attached to the first end of the
tear wire 7 and is used to facilitate deployment of the tear wire.
It is initially stowed in the same plane as the blister layer 14
being held in place along its outside perimeter by a perforation 19
or some other means such as a friction fit, to the blister 14 and
backplane 13 layers. In operation, the service disk 9 is pressed
out then the pull ring 8 is pressed out and extended away from the
blister pack until the tear wire 7 has been fully extended and the
blister layer 14 and backplane 13 have been separated along the
tear wire channel 10 thereby exposing the contents. All three
operations, removal of the service disk 9, separation of the pull
ring 8 and separation of the blister layer 14 and backplane 13 are
one-time, non-reversible actions.
[0062] A removable service disk 9 is attached to the pull ring 8
along the pull ring inner perimeter. It is there to provide
material for the display aperture and is held in place by either
perforation 18 or friction.
[0063] A blister 11 in conjunction with the backplane 13 forms an
enclosed space within which an object may be placed. The blister 11
is normally a transparent hard impervious shell designed to
showcase a product for sale or use while keeping it free from
moisture, dust, dirt or handling.
[0064] A tear wire channel 10 is a conduit formed by the backplane
13 and a molded trough in the blister layer 14 to house the tear
wire 7 until the tear wire is deployed. Is a formed part of the
blister layer 14 and defines the path that the tear wire 7 will
follow when used. As the blister layer 14 may be made of tough, cut
resistant plastic or similar material, a perforation 12 or other
weakening means such a thinning of the material or substitution to
a softer material may be built into the channel 10.
[0065] A tear wire channel perforation 12 is one of several methods
that may be used to weaken the tear wire channel 10 and promote
proper deployment of the tear wire 7 with a minimum of effort.
[0066] A backplane 13 is the foundation for the blister pack
assembly. It is made of a stiff, semi-rigid material such as
plastic and forms the second half of the blister pack. It may be
joined to the first half of the blister pack, the blister layer 14
by an adhesive layer or by thermal welding around its
perimeter.
[0067] A blister layer 14 is a sheet of transparent material
usually plastic from which the blister 11 is formed during
manufacture. It forms the first or top halve of the blister pack
assembly. A portion of the blister layer 14 is separated by the
tear wire 7 to provide access to the product contained therein.
[0068] A display aperture 15 is a through hole in the service disk
9 generally located at the top of the blister pack assembly to
allow the assembly to be hung on a display rack at a retail store.
The diameter is determined by the industry standard for such
displays.
[0069] A tear wire anchor joint 16 is the point at which the tear
wire 7 is affixed to the anchor 17. Any standard manufacturing
means may be used as long as the joint can withstand the tensile
force required to pull the tear wire 7 through the blister layer
14.
[0070] A tear wire anchor 17 is a piece of material large enough to
be permanently affixed to the backplane 13 of the blister pack
assembly. It receives the second end of the tear wire 7 and holds
the wire 7 in place so that the first end of the tear wire 7 may be
pulled through the blister layer 14 along the tear wire channel 10.
Any type of material may be used. It need only be large enough to
allow sufficient adhesive or other bonding means to withstand the
tensile force necessary to hold the tear wire 7 during
deployment.
[0071] An adhesive layer 20 is located between the blister layer 14
and the backplane 13 and joins the two together. It is strong
enough to make entry into the blister difficult and is the reason
for the present invention. An alternative joining method is with
thermal welding along the periphery of the blister pack
assembly.
OPERATION
[0072] The user may open the blister pack in the following manner:
[0073] 1. Holding the blister pack FIG. 1 in the first hand, push
out the service disk 9 containing the display aperture 15. [0074]
2. Push out the pull ring 8 [0075] 3. Using the first hand, insert
a finger into the counter pull hole 5 [0076] 4. Using the second
hand, insert a finger into the tear wire pull ring 8 [0077] 5. Pull
the blister pack and pull ring 8 away from each other using
sufficient force to cause the tear wire 7 to cut through the tear
wire channel 10. [0078] 6. Continue pulling until the tear wire 7
has been fully extended. At this stage, the blister layer 14 will
have been cut entirely along the tear wire channel 10 allowing it
to be folded back as in FIG. 4 [0079] 7. Spread the two halves of
the blister pack and remove the contents therein.
Additional Embodiments
[0080] None
Alternative Embodiments
[0081] A product information sheet 21 is an optional addition to
the blister pack with opener. It is not necessary for the blister
pack with opener to perform properly but is included in the
discussion as it almost always appears in the blister pack assembly
at the wholesale and retail levels of marketing. It is considered
necessary by marketing departments to identify and promote the
product and to provide instructions on how to use and/or maintain
the product. It may be a sheet of paper or cardboard and is usually
printed on both sides. One advantage of the Blister pack with
opener is that the information remains intact when the blister pack
is opened. Depending on the location of the tear wire channel, it
is possible that the information sheet can be removed in one piece
for later reference.
[0082] An optional security strip may be placed at the beginning of
the tear path to give an indication that the pack has been at least
partially opened.
Discuss Alternatives to Perforation
Advantages
[0083] 1. There is no assembly and no attachments. 2. No parts are
required. 3. No tools are required 4. No plans or assembly
instructions are required 5. is both comfortable and effective for
the user.
CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE
[0084] The Blister pack with opener has universal application to
all bonded or welded blister packs in that the concept of an
imbedded wire to cut through a plastic shell applies to blister
packs of any size, shape or material. Depending on the type of
material, adjustments may be made to the depth and interval of the
perforation and/or the tear wire to assure proper separation in all
cases. There is no learning curve associated with the new design.
Although instructions may be provided, it is intuitively obvious
that extraction and extension of the pull ring will cause the tear
wire to open the blister pack. Some blister packs are hinged with
protrusions and recesses to hold the pack closed until the contents
are retrieved. Unfortunately, unauthorized items may be exchanged.
The Blister pack with opener is strictly one-time use. Once the
tear wire has been drawn, the pack is irreversibly damaged and is
no longer functional. Deception is not possible. The manufacturer
may wish to include a security strip located at the beginning of
the tear wire path. Any attempt to open the blister pack before
purchase would quickly be detected by the retailer's security
system. Theft of contents is not possible.
[0085] The greatest advantage of the Blister pack with opener is
the elimination of the need for a sharp object to be forcefully
drawn through the blister pack while holding said pack in hand.
Such an operation is difficult, unwieldy and potentially dangerous.
It may be impossible for the young or elderly. The blister pack
with opener therefore gives greater access to the public and
enhances consumer safety.
* * * * *