U.S. patent application number 12/650944 was filed with the patent office on 2010-07-22 for packaging material.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sony Corporation. Invention is credited to Kazuhiko AIKO, Masaki Hanzawa.
Application Number | 20100181222 12/650944 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42336089 |
Filed Date | 2010-07-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100181222 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
AIKO; Kazuhiko ; et
al. |
July 22, 2010 |
PACKAGING MATERIAL
Abstract
A packaging material includes: a pair of clam shells; a
plurality of welding portions provided at marginal portions of the
pair of clam shells and welded to each other with a product
contained between the pair of clam shells in a sandwiched state;
and a cutout formed in a part of at least either of the pair of
clam shells surrounding the welding portions.
Inventors: |
AIKO; Kazuhiko; (Saitama,
JP) ; Hanzawa; Masaki; (Chiba, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OBLON, SPIVAK, MCCLELLAND MAIER & NEUSTADT, L.L.P.
1940 DUKE STREET
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
Sony Corporation
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
42336089 |
Appl. No.: |
12/650944 |
Filed: |
December 31, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/461 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/225
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/461 |
International
Class: |
B65D 75/04 20060101
B65D075/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 22, 2009 |
JP |
2009-012028 |
Claims
1. A packaging material comprising: a pair of clam shells; a
plurality of welding portions provided at marginal portions of the
pair of clam shells and welded to each other with a product
contained between the pair of clam shells in a sandwiched state;
and a cutout formed in a part of at least either of the pair of
clam shells surrounding the welding portions.
2. A packaging material according to claim 1, wherein the cutout is
formed on a side of the part surrounding the welding portions
facing toward a section for containing a product.
3. A packaging material according to claim 2, wherein the welding
portions of the pair of clam shells are configured in a
concavo-convexo mating structure.
4. A packaging material according to claim 3, wherein perforations
are formed in another part of the clam shell surrounding the
welding portions.
5. A packaging material according to claim 2, further comprising an
inner clam shell which is a clam shell contained between the pair
of clam shells and which is formed with a containing section for
containing the product.
6. A packaging material according to claim 5, wherein the pair of
clam shells and the inner clam shell are molded in a shape in which
they are integrally connected.
7. A packaging material according to claim 6, wherein a hole is
formed on either of the pair of clam shells; and the other of the
pair of clam shells is welded to the inner clam shell at the hole.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a packaging material and,
more particularly, to a packaging material which can be easily
opened and can prevent theft of packaged content by a noise
generated when the package is opened.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Clam shell packs having a structure including top and bottom
clam shells made of a transparent plastic for containing products
in a sandwiched manner are widely used as one packaging material
for displaying products for sale while effectively allowing the
contained products to be viewed from outside.
[0005] As anti-theft measures, clam shell packs according to the
related art have been welded at substantially entire marginal
portions thereof using an impulse sealer or ultrasonic waves (see
JP-A-2001-287771 (Patent Document 1) and JP-A-2001-97444 (Patent
Document 2)).
[0006] A configuration of a clam shell pack according to the
related art will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
FIG. 1 is a front view of a clam shell pack according to the
related art showing an exemplary configuration thereof, and FIG. 2
is a perspective view of the clam shell pack according to the
related art showing the exemplary configuration thereof.
[0007] In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a clam shell pack 1
is formed by a top clam shell 11 and a bottom clam shell 12. The
top clam shell 11 and the bottom clam shell 12 are thin and
flexible components molded from a plastic material such as
polyvinyl chloride, PS (polystyrene) or PET (polyethylene
terephthalate). That is, the shells are molded from a transparent
plastic material.
[0008] The bottom clam shell 12 is formed like a flat sheet. The
top clam shell 11 is formed with a containing section 11a, a
containing section 11b, and containing sections 11c. For example,
accessories of a product are contained in the containing section
11a. The containing section 11b contains a product such as a
portable audio player represented by, for example, the product
named WALKMAN (trademark). For example, the containing sections 11c
contain earphones supplied as an accessory (earplug type
headphones). The containing sections 11b and 11c are omitted in the
illustration of FIG. 2.
[0009] The portable audio player and the earphones omitted in the
illustration are contained between the top clam shell 11 and the
bottom clam shell 12 along with a base sheet (not shown) which is
provided to secure the player and the earphones in the containing
sections 11b and 11c and which is formed to allow the accessories
to be contained in the containing section 11a such that it cannot
be seen from outside. A marginal portion 11d of the top clam shell
11 and a marginal portion 12d of the bottom clam shell 12 are
substantially entirely bonded to each other with the product and
accessories contained. Thus, the top clam shell 11 and the bottom
clam shell 12 are integrated. The bonding is carried out by
heat-welding the hatched part using an impulse sealer or ultrasonic
waves.
[0010] Hanging holes 11e and 12e are formed at top ends of the top
clam shell 11 and the bottom clam shell 12, respectively, for
hanging the clam shell pack 1 on a hook when the product is
displayed for sale.
[0011] The product contained in the clam shell pack 1 is taken out
by breaking the clam shell pack 1. Specifically, perforations 21
are formed on the top clam shell 11 and the bottom clam shell 12
around the containing section 11a, as shown in FIG. 2. The buyer
can take out the product from the clam shell pack 1 by cutting the
shells along the perforations 21 with scissors 31 or the like.
[0012] As apparent from the above, it is difficult to open a clam
shell pack without scissors or the like. That is, the marginal
portion of a clam shell pack is substantially entirely welded to
make it difficult to open the clam shell pack with hands, and the
theft of the product can therefore be prevented.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] A buyer may try to open a clam shell pack by force with the
hands immediately after buying the product regardless of an
instruction requesting the use of scissors for opening the clam
shell pack, and a buyer may suffer from an injury such as a cut
finger in such a situation.
[0014] As a proposal for preventing a containing section of a clam
shell pack from being broken when the clam shell pack is opened,
JP-A-2004-51133 (Patent Document 3) has disclosed a clam shell pack
which is only partially welded at a marginal portion thereof.
However, in the clam shell pack disclosed in Patent Document 3,
holes in the form of perforations are formed to surround the
position of a heat-welded part of the pack. Since the clam shell
pack can therefore be easily opened without making a loud noise, it
is difficult to prevent the theft of the product.
[0015] Under such a circumstance, it is desirable to provide a clam
shell pack which can be easily opened while preventing the theft of
the product in the pack by a noise generated when the pack is
opened.
[0016] According to an embodiment of the invention, there is
provided a packaging material including a pair of clam shells, a
plurality of welding portions provided at marginal portions of the
pair of clam shells and welded to each other with a product
contained between the pair of clam shells in a sandwiched state,
and a cutout formed in a part of at least either of the pair of
clam shells surrounding the welding portions.
[0017] The cutout may be formed on a side of the part surrounding
the welding portions facing toward a section for containing a
product.
[0018] The welding portions of the pair of clam shells may be
configured in a concavo-convexo mating structure.
[0019] Perforations may be formed in another part of the clam shell
surrounding the welding portions.
[0020] There may be provided an inner clam shell which is a clam
shell contained between the pair of clam shells and which is formed
with a containing section for containing the product.
[0021] The pair of clam shells and the inner clam shell may be
molded in a shape in which they are integrally connected.
[0022] A hole may be formed on either of the pair of clam shells,
and the other of the pair of clam shells may be welded to the inner
clam shell at the hole.
[0023] According to the embodiment of the invention, a plurality of
welding portions are provided at marginal portions of a pair of
clam shells with a product contained between the pair of clam
shells in a sandwiched state. A cutout is formed in a part of at
least either of the pair of clam shells surrounding the welding
portions.
[0024] According to the embodiment of the invention, a product can
be contained while effectively displaying it. The packaging
material according to the embodiment of the invention can be easily
opened, and the theft of the product therein can be prevented by a
noise generated when the package is opened.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is a front view of a clam shell pack according to the
related art showing an exemplary configuration of the same;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the clam shell pack
according to the related art showing the exemplary configuration of
he same.
[0027] FIG. 3 is an illustration of an unfolded state of a clam
shell pack according to an embodiment of the invention showing a
configuration of components thereof;
[0028] FIG. 4 is illustrations showing a method of packaging using
the clam shell pack;
[0029] FIGS. 5A and 5B are illustrations showing the clam shell
pack in a packaged state;
[0030] FIG. 6 is an illustration showing an exemplary configuration
that the clam shell pack has after it is heat-welded;
[0031] FIG. 7 is illustrations showing exemplary shapes of a cutout
provided at a welding portion;
[0032] FIGS. 8A and 8B are illustrations showing an exemplary shape
that a welding portion has after the pack is opened;
[0033] FIGS. 9A and 9B are illustrations showing another exemplary
shape that a welding portion has after the pack is opened;
[0034] FIG. 10 is illustrations showing a method of mating welding
portions for repackaging;
[0035] FIG. 11 is a rear view of the clam shell pack for explaining
a method of opening the same;
[0036] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the clam shell pack for
explaining the method of opening the same; and
[0037] FIG. 13 is a side view of the clam shell pack showing an
open state of the same.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[Exemplary Configuration of Clam Shell Pack]
[0038] FIG. 3 is an illustration of an unfolded state of a clam
shell pack as a packaging material according to an embodiment of
the invention showing a configuration of components thereof. The
hatching in the example shown in FIG. 3 represent openings
(holes).
[0039] A clam shell pack 51 is molded from a transparent resin such
as PS (polystyrene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or recycled
PET. Generally, the clam shell pack 51 is formed by a pair of clam
shells, i.e., a top clam shell 62 and a bottom clam shell 63. A
product is packaged by combining the clam shells with the product
contained between them.
[0040] More specifically, the clam shell pack 51 includes an insert
flap 61, the top clam shell 62, the bottom clam shell 63, an inner
clam shell 64, and a guide 65. Those components are integrally
connected at connecting sections 71 to 74 to form the clam shell
pack.
[0041] The insert flap 61 is connected to the top clam shell 62 at
the connecting section 71, and the flap has a hanging hole 81
provided for hanging the clam shell pack 51 on a hook to display
the product for sale. When the product is packaged, the insert flap
61 is folded toward the back of the top clam shell 62 using the
connecting section 71 as a hinge. At this time, an end portion 61a
of the insert flap 61 is inserted into an opening 103 formed on the
bottom clam shell 63 which has been folded toward the back of the
top clam shell 62 in advance.
[0042] The top clam shell 62 is connected to the insert flap 61 at
the connecting section 71 and connected to the bottom clam shell 63
at the connecting section 72. In marginal portions of the top clam
shell 62, round and convex welding portions 91 are formed to be
heat-welded with welding portions 101 on the bottom clam shell 63.
In the example shown in FIG. 3, nine welding portions 91 are
provided at equal intervals on each of left and right marginal
portions of the top clam shell.
[0043] Further, a slit-like cutout 92 is formed (processed) in a
part of a region surrounding each welding portion 91. The cutouts
92 are formed on the side of the welding portions 91 facing toward
a containing section 93. Details of the cutouts 92 will be
described later with reference to FIG. 7.
[0044] In the middle of the top clam shell 62, a containing section
93 is formed to contain an inner clam shell 64 containing a
product. The top clam shell 62 having the inner clam shell 64
contained in the containing section 93 is lapped on the bottom clam
shell 63 by folding the bottom clam shell 63 toward the back of the
top clam shell using the connecting section 72 as a hinge.
[0045] The top clam shell 62 has a hanging hole 94, which is
associated with the hanging hole 81, at a top end thereof (on the
left side thereof in the illustration). The top clam shell 62 also
has holes 95 formed at a bottom end thereof (on the right side
thereof in the illustration) to allow the inner clam shell 64 to be
heat-welded at the same time when the top clam shell 62 and the
bottom clam shell 63 are heat-welded.
[0046] The bottom clam shell 63 is formed like a flat sheet. The
bottom clam shell 63 is connected with the top clam shell 62 at the
connecting section 72 and connected with the inner clam shell 64 at
the connecting section 73. In marginal portions of the bottom clam
shell 63, welding portions 101 are formed to be heat-welded with
welding portions 91 of the top clam shell 62.
[0047] The welding portions 101 are formed in a round convex shape
which is one size smaller than that of the welding portions 91 such
that they are covered by the convex welding portions 91 when the
pair of clam shells is lapped. In FIG. 3, since the clam shell pack
51 is shown in an unfolded state thereof, the welding portions 91
are convex shaped, and the welding portions 101 are formed in a
concave shape. Similarly, when the welding portions 91 is concave
shaped, the welding portions 101 are formed in a convex shape.
[0048] At a top end of the bottom clam shell 63 (on the right side
of the shell in the illustration), a hanging hole 102 associated
with the hanging holes 81 and 94 is formed along with an opening
103 into which the end portion 61a of the insert flap 61 is to be
inserted.
[0049] The inner clam shell 64 is connected with the bottom clam
shell 63 at the connecting section 73 and connected with the guide
65 at the connecting section 74. The inner clam shell 64 is formed
with a containing section 111, a containing section 112, and
containing sections 113. For example, accessories of a product are
contained in the containing section 111. The containing section 112
contains a product such as a portable audio player represented by,
for example, the product named WALKMAN (trademark). For example,
the containing sections 113 contain earphones supplied as an
accessory (earplug type headphones).
[0050] The portable audio player and the earphones omitted in the
illustration are contained between the inner clam shell 64 and the
bottom clam shell 63 along with a base sheet which is not shown.
The base sheet is a component formed using a punching process to
secure the player and the earphone in the containing sections 112
and 113 and to allow the accessories to be contained in the
containing section 111 such that it cannot been seen from outside.
For example, a product name, a POS code and the like may be printed
on the base sheet, and the base sheet has holes which are
associated with the containing sections 113 and the hanging holes
81, 94, 102, and 114.
[0051] The inner clam shell 64 having the product, the base sheet,
and the like contained in the containing sections 111 to 113 is
folded toward the back of the bottom clam shell 63 using the
connecting section 73 as a hinge, and the shell is thereby lapped
on the bottom clam shell 63.
[0052] A hanging hole 114 associated with the hanging holes 81, 94,
and 102 is formed at a top end of the inner clam shell 64 (on the
left side of the same in the illustration). Further, welding
portions 115 to be heat-welded to the bottom clam shell 63 are
formed at a bottom end of the inner clam shell 64 (on the right
side of the same in the illustration) on both sides of the guide
65. A cutout 116 is formed in a part of a region surrounding a
bonded part of each welding portion 115 where welding is actually
performed. The cutouts 116 are formed on the side of the regions
surrounding the bonded parts facing toward the containing section
111.
[0053] When packaging is carried out, the guide 65 is folded toward
the containing section 111 of the inner clam shell 64 using the
connecting section 74 as a hinge such that the guide becomes
substantially perpendicular to the sheet-like surface of the bottom
clam shell 63. The guide 65 is formed in such a length that it
protrudes above the containing section 111 and that it can be
accommodated in the containing section 93 of the top clam shell 62.
Therefore, when the pack is opened, the buyer can easily remove the
inner clam shell 64 from the bottom clam shell 63 by pulling the
guide 65 protruding above the containing section 111 of the inner
clam shell 64 even though they are welded at the welding portions
115.
[0054] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the welding portions 91 and
101 have been described as having a round shape by way of example.
However, the welding portions 91 and 101 are not limited to a round
shape, and they may be formed in other shapes such as elliptic and
square shapes.
[Example of Method of Packaging with Clam Shell Pack]
[0055] A method of packaging using the clam shell pack 51 will now
be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a side view of the
clam shell pack 51 shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 shows three states of
the clam shell pack 51 to illustrate the exemplary method, i.e., a
state of the pack with no product contained yet, a state in which
the inner clam shell 64 is lapped over the bottom clam shell 63, a
state in which the bottom clam shell 63 is lapped over the top clam
shell 62, the states being shown in the order listed in
top-to-bottom direction.
[0056] First, the guide 65 is folded perpendicularly to the
unfolded state of the same as indicated by the arrow P1 using the
connecting section 74 as a hinge so that it will extend along a
bottom surface of the containing section 111 of the inner clam
shell 64.
[0057] Next, the inner clam shell 64 is folded toward the back of
the bottom clam shell 63 using the connecting section 73 as a hinge
as indicated by the arrow P2 to lap it over the bottom clam shell
63 with a product, the base sheet, and so on contained in the
containing sections 111 to 113. At this time, the product, base
sheet, and so on are contained between the inner clam shell 64 and
the bottom clam shell 63.
[0058] Thereafter, the bottom clam shell 63 is folded toward the
back of the top clam shell 62 using the connecting section 72 as a
hinge as indicated by the arrow P3 to lap it over the top clam
shell 62 such that the inner clam shell 64 is contained in the
containing section 93 of the top clam shell 62. At this time, the
inner clam shell 64 having the product contained therein is
contained between the top clam shell 62 and the bottom clam shell
63.
[0059] After the top clam shell 62 and the bottom clam shell 63 are
thus combined, the insert flap 61 is folded toward the back of the
top clam shell 62 using the connecting section 71 as a hinge as
indicated by the arrow P4. At this time, the end portion 61a of the
insert flap 61 is inserted into the opening 103 formed on the
bottom clam shell 63 which is folded toward the back of the top
clam shell 62.
[0060] A product is contained and packaged in the clam shell pack
51 as thus described.
[Example of Clam Shell Pack in Packaged State]
[0061] FIGS. 5A and 5B are illustrations of the clam shell pack 51
with a product packaged therein. FIG. 5A is a perspective view of
the clam shell pack 51 with a product contained or packaged
therein, and FIG. 5B is a bottom view of the clam shell pack 51
taken from the bottom side thereof in its attitude shown in FIG.
5A. In the illustration in FIG. 5A, the interior of the clam shell
pack 51 is omitted, and the cutouts 92 provided in parts of the
regions surrounding the welding portions 91 are also omitted.
[0062] After a product is packaged as thus described, the eighteen
welding portions 91 and welding portions 101 provided on the clam
shell pack 51 are heat-welded using an impulse sealer or ultrasonic
waves, and the top clam shell 62 and the bottom clam shell 63 are
integrated as a result of the heat welding. At the same time, the
welding portions 115 of the inner clam shell 64 are heat-welded to
the bottom clam shell 63 at the holes 95 formed on the top clam
shell 62.
[Example of Heat-Welded Clam Shell Pack]
[0063] FIG. 6 is a front view of the clam shell pack 51 showing an
exemplary configuration that the clam shell pack has after it is
heat-welded. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the hatching
represents bonded parts which have been heat-welded.
[0064] In the example shown on FIG. 6, the nine welding portions 91
on the left side of the marginal portion of the top clam shell 62
are welded to welding portions 101 associated with them, and the
nine welding portions 91 on the right side of the marginal portion
of the top clam shell 62 are welded to another group of welding
portions 101 associated with them. The cutouts 92 are formed in
parts of the regions surrounding the welding portions 101 (on the
side of the regions facing toward the containing section 93).
[0065] When a buyer holds the top clam shell 62 and applies a force
to remove it from the bottom clam shell 63 in order to open the
clam shell pack 51, some parts of the marginal portion of the top
clam shell 62 are torn or broken by the force that is guided by the
cutouts 92. As a result, the top clam shell 62 can be easily
removed from the bottom clam shell 63, and the theft of the product
can be prevented because a loud noise is generated when the shell
is broken.
[0066] The welding portions 115 formed on the inner clam shell 64
are welded to the bottom clam shell 63 at the holes 95 provided at
the bottom end of the top clam shell 62. Thus, the product can be
prevented from coming out of the pack when the top clam shell 62 is
removed from the bottom clam shell 63.
[0067] Further, the welding portions 115 are also accompanied by
the cutouts 116 formed in parts of the regions surrounding the
welded positions (on the side of the regions facing toward the
containing section 93). Therefore, when the buyer pulls the guide
65 after removing the inner clam shell 64 from the bottom clam
shell 63, parts of the inner clam shell 64 (welding portions 115)
associated with the cutouts are torn and broken by the pull that is
guided by the cutouts 116. Thus, the inner clam shell 64 can be
easily removed from the bottom clam shell 63, and the theft of the
product can be prevented because a great noise is generated when
the shell is broken.
[0068] As thus described, the clam shell pack 51 can be opened to
take out the product from the clam shell pack 51.
[Exemplary Shapes of Cutouts]
[0069] FIG. 7 is illustrations showing exemplary shapes of the
cutouts provided at the welding portions 91. In the examples shown
in FIG. 7, a welding portion 101 of the bottom clam shell 63 is
formed one size smaller than the associated welding portion 91 of
the top clam shell 62. The welding portions 91 and 101 are formed
in a round convex shape, and they are heat-welded to each other in
a bonding position (hatched part) in the middle thereof.
[0070] FIG. 7 shows five types of exemplary cutouts 92a to 92e. The
examples in FIG. 7 are shown on an assumption that the containing
section 93 is located on the left of the welding portion 91.
[0071] The cutout 92a is formed to extend in the form of a
semicircle around the welding portion 91 on the side the portion
facing toward the containing section 93. The cutout 92b is formed
to extend slightly further than the semicircle on the side of the
welding portion 91 facing toward the containing section 93. That
is, the length of the cutout 92b is slightly greater than the
length of the cutout 92a.
[0072] The cutout 92c is formed to follow the semicircular course
around the welding portion 91 on the side of the welding portion
facing toward the containing section 93, and the ends of the cutout
92c extend slightly outward of the semicircular course.
[0073] The cutout 92d is formed to extend to follow about 2/3 of an
imaginary square shape surrounding the welding portion 91 on the
side of the welding portion facing toward the containing section
93.
[0074] The cutout 92e is formed to extend substantially halfway an
imaginary circle surrounding the bonded part of the welding portion
91. Perforation-like holes (hereinafter referred to as
perforations) 151 are formed along the imaginary circle surrounding
the bonded part of the welding portion 91 except where the cutout
92e is formed. When the cutout 92e is used, the welding portions 91
and 101 are formed in a concave-convexo mating structure to allow
the clam shell pack 51 to be reused for packaging. Details of the
cutout 92e will be described later with reference to FIGS. 9A, 9B,
and 10.
[0075] The shape and length of the cutouts 92 are not limited to
the examples shown in FIG. 7, and the cutouts may be formed in
various shapes and lengths in consideration to balance between the
ease of opening the pack and the level of the noise generated when
the pack is opened.
[Exemplary Shapes of Welding Portion of Opened Pack]
[0076] FIGS. 8A and 8B are illustrations showing an exemplary shape
into which a welding portion having a cutout 92a is changed when
the clam shell pack is opened.
[0077] As shown in FIG. 8A, when the pack is opened, the top clam
shell 62 is broken at parts 141 near the marginal edge thereof by a
force guided by the cutout 92a. Since the cutout 92a is formed on
the side of the shell facing toward the containing section 93, the
breakage of the containing section 93 can be prevented. The pack
can be easily opened, and the broken positions can be expected in
advance to some extent. Therefore, injuries can be prevented when
the pack is opened. Further, since no perforation is provided other
than the cutouts 92a, a loud noise is generated when the shell is
broken. It is therefore possible to prevent the product from being
stolen by breaking the clam shell pack 51.
[0078] As shown in FIG. 8B, a part 142 surrounded by the cutout 92a
and the broken parts 141 near the marginal edge is cut off from the
top clam shell 62 along with the welding portion 91. The part 142
including the welding portion 91 remains on the bottom clam shell
63 because it is welded to the welding portion 101. In this case,
since the parts 142 broken as thus described will not be scattered,
they will not become wastes to be disposed.
[0079] While the example shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B has been
described on an assumption that the cutout 92a is used, the
description also applies to the cutouts 92b to 92d.
[0080] FIGS. 9A and 9B are illustrations showing an exemplary shape
into which a welding portion having a cutout 92e is changed when
the pack is opened.
[0081] In the example shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, a cutout 92e and
perforations 151 are formed in the form of a circle surrounding a
bonded part inside a welding portion 91. In this case, when the
pack is opened, the top clam shell 62 is cut along the perforations
151, and an opening 171 is formed at the welding portion 91 as
shown in FIG. 9A. Therefore, although a noise generated when the
clam shell pack in this example is opened is smaller than that in
the example shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the breakage of the top clam
shell 62 can be prevented.
[0082] Specifically, when the pack is opened, a circular bonded
part surrounded by the cutout 92e and the perforations 151 is cut
off from the top clam shell 62 as shown in FIG. 9B to form the
opening 171 on the top clam shell 62. At this time, the bonded part
161 thus cut off remains substantially on the bonded part of the
welding portion of the bottom clam shell 63.
[0083] When the cutout 92e is used, the welding portions 91 and 101
are provided with convex features 181 (under) and 182 respectively,
and a locking mechanism having a concavo-convexo mating structure
is therefore provided between the welding portions 91 and 101.
Since the mating structure between the welding portions remains
effective even though the opening 171 is formed at the welding
portion 91 and the bonded part 161 of the welding portion 91
remains on the welding portion 101. Therefore, the welding portions
91 and 101 can be mated with each other again as indicated by the
arrow. That is, the clam shell pack 51 can be reused for
packaging.
[0084] The welding portions are formed with a concavo-convexo
mating structure as thus described to allow the shell pack to be
reused for packaging. As a result, the containing sections can be
formed in any shape suitable for a product without restrictions on
the shape of the containing sections which can be encountered when
the containing sections are to be provided with a mating
structure.
[0085] The example shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 10 may be implemented
by forming the cutouts 92e only without forming the perforations
151.
[Example of Unpacking of Clam Shell Pack]
[0086] FIG. 11 is a rear view of the clam shell pack 51 taken
behind the same after welding is finished. In the example shown in
FIG. 11, the end portion 61a of the insert flap 61 is inserted in
the opening 103 formed on the bottom clam shell 63.
[0087] When the pack is opened, as shown in FIG. 12, the buyer
pulls out the end portion 61a of the insert flap 61 from the
opening 103 and holds each of the insert flap 61 and the top clam
shall 62 with either of his or her hands to pull then in opposite
directions. For example, the insert flap 61 is pulled out in the
direction indicated by the arrow P5.
[0088] Marginal portions of the top clam shell 62 are broken with a
loud noise by the pulling force which is guided by the cutouts 92
formed to surround the welding portions 91. As a result, the top
clam shell 62 and the bottom clam shell 63 which are welded to each
other can be easily opened as shown in FIG. 13, and the theft of
the product can be prevented by the noise generated when the shell
is broken.
[0089] Further, as indicated by the arrow P6, the guide 65 extends
substantially perpendicularly to the bottom clam shell 63 and
extends along the bottom surface of the containing section 111 to a
height above the containing section 111. Therefore, the inner clam
shell 64 can be easily removed from the bottom clam shell 63 by
pulling the guide 65 with the bottom clam shell 63 held with the
other hand.
[0090] At this time, parts of the welding portions 115 formed at
the inner clam shell 64 are also broken with a loud noise by the
pull which is guided by the cutouts 116. Thus, the product can be
taken out from the inner clam shell 64, and the theft of the
product can be prevented by the noise generated when the welding
portions are broken.
[0091] In the above description, nine each of welding portions 91
and 101 are provided on each of left and right sides of the
containing section 93. However, there is no limitation on the
number, size, position, and spacing of the welding portions, and
any configuration may be employed depending on the product to be
contained and the level of the noise to be generated when the pack
is opened. Although the welding portions are disposed at equal
intervals in the above description, it is not essential to dispose
them at equal intervals.
[0092] Although the cutouts 92 are provided at marginal portions of
the top clam shell 62 surrounding the welding portions 91 in the
above-described example, cutouts may alternatively be provided at
marginal portions of the bottom clam shell 63 surrounding the
welding portions 101. Further, cutouts may alternatively be
provided at parts of both clam shells surrounding the welding
portions.
[0093] Although the inner clam shell 64 is provided in the
above-described example, the invention may be implemented without
the inner clam shell 64.
[0094] The present application contains subject matter related to
that disclosed in Japanese Priority Patent Application JP
2009-012028 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Jan. 22, 2009, the
entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
[0095] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that
various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and
alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other
factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims
or the equivalents thereof.
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