U.S. patent application number 13/991898 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-03 for thermoformed blister package.
This patent application is currently assigned to COLGATE-PALMALIVE COMPANY. The applicant listed for this patent is Robert Moskovich. Invention is credited to Robert Moskovich.
Application Number | 20130256165 13/991898 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44477673 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130256165 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moskovich; Robert |
October 3, 2013 |
THERMOFORMED BLISTER PACKAGE
Abstract
A blister package (10) and method for manufacturing the blister
package include an upper wall member (14) (e.g., front panel), a
lower wall member (16) (e.g., backer) and a printing (20) (e.g.,
print, decoration, advertising), where the upper wall member is
formed to effectively hold an article (12) (e.g., toothbrush,
razor) preferably by accommodating specific geometry of the
article. The lower wall member is preferably formed (e.g., molded,
thermoformed) after printing from a flat sheet of material (e.g.,
plastic) to resemble a cylindrical or cone based final shape
linearly along or parallel to the lower wall member's longitudinal
axis (46). The printing is applied to the flat sheet of material
without distortion and appears on the final shaped lower wall
member without the appearance of distortion.
Inventors: |
Moskovich; Robert; (East
Brunswick, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Moskovich; Robert |
East Brunswick |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
COLGATE-PALMALIVE COMPANY
NEW YORK
NY
|
Family ID: |
44477673 |
Appl. No.: |
13/991898 |
Filed: |
December 13, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
December 13, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US10/60098 |
371 Date: |
June 5, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/362.3 ;
206/459.5; 53/453 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 73/0092 20130101;
B65D 75/322 20130101; B65B 5/02 20130101; B65D 2203/02
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/362.3 ;
206/459.5; 53/453 |
International
Class: |
B65D 73/00 20060101
B65D073/00; B65B 5/02 20060101 B65B005/02 |
Claims
1. A blister package for housing an article, comprising: a front
panel; a backer molded from a planar film and defining an outline
portion laving a longitudinal axis and a convex curve
cross-section; and a printing, on the outline portion; wherein the
outline portion is linear along the longitudinal axis and has not
been deformed along or parallel to the longitudinal axis but has
only been deformed transversely to the axis, wherein the front
panel and the backer are secured together to define a region for
holding an article, and wherein the printing is legible on the
backer.
2. The blister package of claim 1, wherein the front panel further
comprises a first three-dimensional structure and a planar rim; and
the backer further comprises a planar flange and a second
three-dimensional structure; the first three-dimensional structure
protruding from the planar rim a first distance, the second
three-dimensional structure protruding, from the planar flange a
second distance, wherein the second distance is less than the first
distance.
3. The blister package of claim 1, wherein the outline portion is
cone shaped.
4. The blister package of claim 2, wherein a radius of curvature of
the convex curve cross-section is greater than the second
distance.
5. The blister package of Claim 1, wherein the outline portion
comprises a backer transparent section for visual access to the
article.
6. The blister package of claim 5, wherein the article is a
toothbrush comprising: a head with an elongated handle; and
bristles attached to the head, the backer transparent section
allowing visual access to the head of the toothbrush.
7. The blister package of claim 1, wherein the backer comprises an
inner surface directed towards the article and an outer surface
opposite the inner surface and directed away from the article, the
printing being applied to the inner surface of the backer.
8. The blister package of claim 1, wherein the backer comprises an
inner surface directed towards the article and an outer surface
opposite the inner surface and directed away from the article, the
printing being applied to the outer surface of the backer.
9. The blister package of claim 1, wherein the front panel further
comprises a planar rim; and the backer further comprises a planar
flange, the planar rim secured to the planar flange to define the
region.
10. The blister package of claim 1, wherein the outline portion
extends across a width of the backer.
11. A method for making a blister package for housing an article,
comprising: a) providing a front panel; b) applying a printing to a
planar film, the printing having an appearance free of distortion
on the planar film; c) thermoforming the planar film into a backer
to define an outline portion having a longitudinal axis and a
convex curve cross-section, with the outline portion linear along
the longitudinal axis, the printing thermoformed with the second
planar film and maintaining a legible appearance regardless of
distortion caused by the thermoforming; d) placing the article into
one of the front panel or the backer; and e) sealing the front
panel and the backer together with the article in between the front
panel and the backer; wherein, during the thermoforming, the
outline portion is not deformed along or parallel to the
longitudinal axis but is only deformed transversely to the
axis.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the outline portion is
cylindrical.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the front panel further
comprises a first three-dimensional structure and a planar rim; and
the backer further comprises a planar flange and a second
three-dimensional structure; the first three-dimensional structure
protruding from the planar rim a first distance, the second
three-dimensional structure protruding from the planar flange a
second distance, wherein the second distance is less than the first
distance.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the convex curve cross-section
has a radius of curvature greater than the second distance.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein the outline portion is cone
shaped.
16. A backer sealed to a front panel to form a blister package for
housing an article, the front panel including a first
three-dimensional thermoformed structure and a planar rim extending
about the periphery of the first three-dimensional thermoformed
structure, the first three-dimensional thermoformed structure
molded from a first planar film and protruding from the planar rim
to define an article receiving portion, the first three-dimensional
thermoformed structure including a first transparent section for
visual access to the article, the backer comprising: a second
three-dimensional thermoformed structure; a planar flange extending
about the periphery of the second three-dimensional thermoformed
structure; and a printing, wherein the second three-dimensional
thermoformed structure is molded from a second planar film and
protrudes from the planar flange to define an outline portion
having a longitudinal axis and a convex curve cross-section,
wherein the outline portion is linear along the longitudinal axis
and has not been deformed along or parallel to the longitudinal
axis but has only been deformed transversely to the axis; the
backer being sealed to the front panel by a bonding of the planar
rim to the planar flange to define a sealed region, the first and
second three-dimensional thermoformed structures cooperating to
form an article receiving pocket for the article, the printing
being on the outline portion and being legible on the backer.
17. The backer of claim 16, the outline portion including a backer
transparent section for visual access to the article.
18. The backer of claim 17, wherein the article is a toothbrush
comprising: a head with an elongated handle; and bristles attached
to the head, wherein the backer transparent section allows visual
access to the head of the toothbrush.
19. The backer of claim 16, wherein the outline portion extends
across a width of the backer between the planar flanges at opposite
ends of the width.
20. The backer of claim 16, wherein the first three-dimensional
thermoformed structure protrudes from the planar rim a first
distance, the second three-dimensional thermoformed structure
protrudes from the planar flange a second distance less than the
first distance.
21. The backer of claim 16, wherein a radius of curvature of the
convex curve cross-section is greater than the protrusion of the
second three-dimensional thermoformed structure from the planar
flange.
22. The backer of claim 16, wherein the outline portion is cone
shaped.
23. The backer of claim 16, wherein the outline portion is
cylindrical.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to blister packages having a
three-dimensional backer with printing on the backer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Various blister packages are known in the prior art for
holding and displaying articles of merchandise, such as
toothbrushes or razors. These blister packages are typically
thermoformed plastic and include a backer or base member and a
front panel closure member coupled to each other by a seal or weld.
While the front panel is typically molded into a three-dimensional
shape resembling the contours of the article held within, the
backer is formed in either two dimensions or shaped into three
dimensions. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,276,529 and
6,409,019, and United States Published Application U.S.2001/0032796
A1.
[0003] These blister packages often include printing for
informational or advertising purposes. Typically, the printing is
found on flat two-dimensional sections of the package where they
are easily readable due to their appearance on the flat surface.
See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,571,953 and U.S. Application
Publication U.S.2007/0051652 A1.
[0004] By way of example, U.S. Application Publication
U.S.2009/0090643 A1 discloses a blister package for display of a
toothbrush. The plastic blister package includes first and second
plastic films 16, 20 that are pre-printed in a flat status before
deep-drawing, with the printed area being later situated in a
three-dimensionally molded portion of the blister package. The
pre-printing is contoured or distorted prior to the molding to
acquire the correct appearance after the deep-drawing process.
[0005] While the foregoing packages are generally suited for their
intended purposes, they leave something to be desired from the
standpoint of simplicity and preparing print or graphics for the
printing on a flat sheet of plastic before the plastic is molded
into a three-dimensional shape that noticeably distorts the
graphic/printing design. Accordingly, a need exists for greater
flexibility and efficiency for pre-printing during the manufacture
of blister packages to achieve minimal distortion in the
thee-dimensional final shape.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one embodiment there is a blister package for housing an
article or merchandise, e.g. a toothbrush. The package comprising a
front panel, a backer molded from a planar film to define a outline
portion having a longitudinal axis and a printing applied to the
planar film. The printing is applied to the planar plastic film
having an appearance substantially free of distortion on the planar
film. The outline portion is linear along the longitudinal axis.
The front panel and backer are secured to each other to define a
region for holding the article. The printing is legible on the
backer irrespective of the distortion caused in molding the backer
from the planar film.
[0007] In another embodiment there is a method for making a blister
package for housing an article. The method for making a blister
package for housing an article comprises providing a front panel;
applying a printing to a planar film, the printing having an
appearance free of distortion on the planar film; thermoforming the
planar film into a backer to define a outline portion having a
longitudinal axis with the outline portion linear along the
longitudinal axis, the printing molded with the second planar film
and maintaining a legible appearance regardless of distortion
caused by the molding; placing the article into one of the front
panel or the backer; and sealing the front panel and the backer
together with the article in between the front panel and the
backer.
[0008] In certain embodiments the outline portion is cone
shaped.
[0009] In certain embodiments, the first three-dimensional
thermoformed structure protrudes from the planar rim a first
distance, and the second three-dimensional structure protrudes form
the planar flange a second distance less than the first
distance.
[0010] In certain embodiments the outline portion ahs a convex
curve cross-section.
[0011] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will
become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter.
It should be understood that the detailed description and specific
examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the
invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are
not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description and the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a
blister package constructed in accordance with the invention and
housing an article of merchandise;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the package shown in FIG.
1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the package shown in FIGS. 1
and 2;
[0016] FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line IV-IV
of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of an exemplary planar film prior to
being thermoformed into a cylindrical outline portion;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a cylindrical outline portion
thermoformed from the planar film shown in FIG. 5; and
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the package shown in FIGS.
1-3 housing the exemplary article of merchandise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is
merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the
invention, its application, or uses.
[0021] Unless otherwise specified, all amounts, quantities, and
geometric features expressed herein and elsewhere in the
specification should be understood to include substantial
approximations of the express term. For example, the term "planar"
should be understood as including generally or approximately planar
configurations.
[0022] While not being limited to a particular theory, the
exemplary aspects of the invention include a blister package and
method for manufacturing the blister package including an upper
wall member (e.g., front panel), a lower wall member (e.g., backer)
and a printing (e.g., print, decoration, advertising), where the
upper wall member is formed to effectively hold an article (e.g.,
toothbrush, razor) preferably by accommodating specific geometry of
the article. The lower wall member is preferably formed (e.g.,
molded, thermoformed) after printing from a flat sheet of material
(e.g., plastic) to resemble a cylindrical or cone based final shape
linearly along or parallel to the lower wall member's longitudinal
axis. The printing is applied to the flat sheet of material without
distortion and appears on the final shaped lower wall member
without the appearance of distortion. This combination of the upper
and lower wall members are secured together preferably by a
three-dimensional seal or weld curve generally practiced as a
two-dimensional seal or weld.
[0023] The embodiments improve the quality of the printing placed
on the lower wall member or backer and give the backer a
three-dimensional shape from non-distorted printing placed on the
flat sheet in comparison to the known flat planar appearance. An
advantage of the cylindrical/cone shaped backer is that the backer
is not distorted to the same extent as the upper wall member. This
provides the benefit that the printing need not be pre-distorted
prior to final assembly of the blister package as known in the art
at least in part due to the longitudinal linear shape of the
assembled lower section. This benefit allows for better
graphics/printed designs and flexibility. A further benefit of the
three-dimensional backer is created by forming see-through windows
on the backer that provide visual access to the back or side of the
article (e.g., toothbrush heads) or other features of the article
that traditionally are blocked from view.
[0024] The invention is further described in the following
examples. The examples are merely illustrative and do not in any
way limit the scope of the invention as described and claimed.
[0025] Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numbers
refer to like parts, there is shown at 10 in FIG. 1 an exemplary
embodiment of a blister package constructed in accordance with the
invention. The package 10 is arranged to hold an article of
merchandise. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the item of
merchandise is a toothbrush 12 (FIG. 7), but could be any product.
The particular embodiment of the package 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a
blister-type package. Alternatively, it can be in the form of a
clam-shell type package. In either case, the package basically
comprises a pair of wall members, herein referred to as a front
panel 14 and a backer 16. The wall members are fixedly secured to
each other to form an article receiving pocket 18 (FIG. 4)
therebetween. The blister package 10 also includes a printing 20
(FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 6) on the backer 16.
[0026] The wall members are formed of any suitable material, e.g.,
a plastic or polymeric material, such as, but not limited to,
polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), etc.,
or any other material known for use in blister or clam-shell
packaging. The material making up the wall members may comprise a
combination of materials, including transparent, partially
transparent, semi-transparent, opaque and and/or non-transparent
materials and may be formed in any manner, such as thermoforming,
injection or molding.
[0027] FIGS. 1-3 depict the blister package 10 in a top plane view,
a side elevational view, and a bottom plane view, respectively. As
can best be seen in FIG. 1, the front panel is an elongated member
having a pair of long side edges 22 and 24 extending with the
elongation and a pair of short end edges 26, 28 extending
transversely to the elongation. The front panel 14 includes a first
three-dimensional thermoformed structure 30 and a planar rim 32
extending about the periphery of the first three-dimensional
thermoformed structure. The first three-dimensional thermoformed
structure is molded from a first planar plastic film that forms the
first wall member and protrudes from the planar rim 32 a distance
D1 (FIG. 4) to define a hollow body as an article receiving portion
34. The article receiving portion 34 is a recess for receipt of the
article of merchandise, and extends substantially the full length
of the front panel 14, except for a top portion 36 adjacent the
short end edge 26 that forms a header of the package 10. The top
portion 36 is shown forming a hook 38 for hanging the package 10
from a display rack. The article receiving portion 34 can be of
uniform width and depth along its entire length or can be profiled
to the specific profile of the item of merchandise as can be seen
in FIG. 7. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the article receiving
portion 34 is profiled to conform to the profile of the toothbrush
12.
[0028] As can best be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the planar rim 32
extends outward about the entire periphery of the first
three-dimensional thermoformed structure 30 to form its edges 22,
24, 26, 28. The planar rim 32 serves as the means for securing the
front panel 14 to the backer 16. For example, the front panel 14
and backer 16 may be secured by a seal or weld as would be readily
understood by a skilled artisan.
[0029] The second wall member which serves at the backer 16 of the
package 10 includes a generally cylindrical or cone shaped member
as a second three-dimensional thermoformed structure 40, and a
planar flange 42 extending about the periphery of the second
three-dimensional thermoformed structure that is of a corresponding
size and shape to the planar rim 32. The second three-dimensional
thermoformed structure 40 is molded from a second planar plastic
film and protrudes from the planar flange 42 to define a
cylindrical outline portion 44 having a longitudinal axis 46 with
the cylindrical outline portion linear along the longitudinal axis
(FIG. 2).
[0030] Thus, as can best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the backer is an
elongated member including a pair of long side edges 48, 50
extending generally parallel to the axis 46, and a pair of short
side edges 52, 54 extending transverse to the axis 46. While not
being limited to a particular theory, FIG. 2 demonstrates that the
longitudinal axis 46 is offset from and not limited to a parallel
alignment with the plane of the planar flange 42. For example, when
the longitudinal axis 46 is not in parallel with the planar flange
plane, the second three-dimensional thermoformed structure may
appear generally cone-shaped as the angle offset of a plane of the
planar flange increases from parallel. Any such configuration is
considered within the scope of the invention.
[0031] As discussed above, the backer 16 can be formed of PVC, PET,
etc., or any other suitable flexible plastic or polymeric sheet or
film material and includes an inner surface 56 and an outer surface
58 (FIG. 4). Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the inner surface 56 of
the backer 16 adjacent its peripheral edges 48, 50, 52, 54 defined
by the planar flange 42 is fixedly secured (e.g., adhesively
sealed, thermally welded, etc.) to the planar rim 32 of the front
panel 14 to define a sealed region 68. The securement of the front
panel 14 and backer 16 together create an enclosed cavity or
article receiving pocket 18 (FIG. 4) in which the article of
merchandise, for example, the toothbrush 12, is retained (FIG. 7).
Of course, the printing may be applied to either the inner surface
56 or the outer surface 58 within the scope of the invention.
[0032] FIG. 4 depicts the blister package 10 in cross-section
showing by example an amount of protrusion caused by the
thermoforming of the front panel 14 and the backer 16. The first
three-dimensional thermoformed structure 30 is protruded from the
planar rim 32 a distance D1, and the second three-dimensional
thermoformed structure 40 is shown protruding from the planar
flange 42 a second distance D2. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the
distance D2 is less than the distance D1, meaning that the backer
16 is not distorted to the same extent as the front panel. The
second three-dimensional thermoformed structure 40 is not
rectilinear or planar in cross-section, but rather is curved
outward slightly convexly with a radius of curvature RC greater
than the distance D2 that represents the projection distance of the
second three-dimensional thermoformed structure from the planar
flange 42. This minimizes any distortion of the second
three-dimensional thermoformed structure and negates any distortion
longitudinally parallel to the longitudinal axis 46. While not
being limited to a particular theory, the examples illustrated in
the figures show the radius of curvature RC at least about twice
the distance D2 to minimize distortion while still providing a
curved convex profile.
[0033] The second three-dimensional thermoformed structure 40
includes a cylindrical outline portion 44 that extends
longitudinally along the thermoformed structure 40 preferably
including the writings 20 shown by example in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6. As
part of the second three-dimensional thermoformed structure 40, the
cylindrical outline portion 44 is molded from the second planar
plastic film 62 (FIG. 5) into its cylindrical shape as depicted in
FIG. 6. The printing 20 is applied to the second planar plastic
film 62 with an appearance free of distortion on the second planar
plastic film. In other words, the printing is applied undistorted
as if it were intended to be observed on a flat sheet.
[0034] After the second planar plastic film 62 is molded into the
second three-dimensional thermoformed structure 40, the cylindrical
outline portion still appears generally as depicted. During the
thermoforming of the cylindrical outline portion 44, the portion is
not deformed along or parallel to the longitudinal axis but is only
deformed slightly transversely to the axis. This deformation keeps
the cylindrical outline portion without longitudinal deformation,
therefore minimizing any deformation of printing on the cylindrical
outline portion 44. Beneficially, this molding of the cylindrical
outline portion 44 does not distort the outline portion along
linear segments 64 (FIG. 6) that are in parallel with the
longitudinal axis 46. Accordingly, this molding only allows minimal
distortion transverse to the longitudinal axis, thereby minimizing
any distortion to the cylindrical outline portion or to any writing
20 applied to the cylindrical outline portion 44. This benefit
means that the backer 16 is not distorted to the same extent as
distortion of the front panel 14, and the writing 20 does not
appear distorted on the thermoformed cylindrical outline portion
44. Accordingly, any writing 20 does not need to be pre-distorted
prior to molding of the backer or final assembly of the package 10,
which allows for clearer graphic and print designs and greater
flexibility in applying the designs knowing that the printing
applied to the second planar plastic film will look the same as the
design viewed on the final assembled package 10.
[0035] While the front panel 14 and backer 16 have been described
above as comprising a combination of materials including
transparent, partially transparent, semi-transparent, etc., it is
preferred that the blister package 10 include windows 60 of
transparent material with or without printing for viewing the
article within. For example, as can be seen in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and
6, the backer 16 includes a window 60 of transparent material for
allowing visual access to the head of the toothbrush 12. In
combination with a window 66 of transparent material on the front
panel 14 for visual access to the head and bristles of the
toothbrush, a person now has a 360.degree. view of the head of the
toothbrush. The window 60 and other windows on the backer 16 help
consumers see the backs of the toothbrushes or other features that
traditionally are blocked from view prior to purchase of the
toothbrush.
[0036] While the invention has been described in detail and with
reference to specific examples thereof, it would be apparent to one
skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be
made therein without departing from the spirit and scope there. For
example, the front panel 14 and backer 16 may be secured by a
partial seal of the planar rim to the planar flange or by a
frictional fit therebetween. Without further elaboration, the
foregoing will so fully illustrate the invention that others may,
by applying current or future knowledge, readily adapt the same for
use under various conditions of service.
[0037] As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for
describing each and every value that is within the range. Any value
within the range can be selected as the terminus of the range. In
addition, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by
referenced in their entireties. In the event of a conflict in a
definition in the present disclosure and that of a cited reference,
the present disclosure controls.
* * * * *