RU2544814C2 - Thermoformed blister package - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: packaging industry.

SUBSTANCE: blister package (10) and a method of manufacturing the blister package comprising an element (14) of the upper wall (e.g., front panel), an element (16) of the lower wall (e.g., element of substrate) and a seal (20) (e.g., pattern, design, advertisement), where the element of the upper wall is made to retain effectively the product (12) (e.g., toothbrush, razor) preferably by means of placement of specific geometry of the product. The lower wall element is preferably formed (e.g., moulded, thermoformed) after printing of a flat sheet of the material (e.g., plastic) to remind a final form of the cylinder or the cone base linearly along or parallel to the longitudinal axis (46) of the lower wall element. Printing is applied on a flat sheet of material without distortion, and on the lower wall element receiving the final shape it remains without distortion.

EFFECT: improvement of package.

21 cl, 7 dwg

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to blister packs having a three-dimensional substrate element with printing on the substrate element.

State of the art

[0002] Various blister packs are known in the art as retention and display items such as toothbrushes or razors. Such blister packs are typically thermoformed from plastic and include a backing element or base and a front panel capping member connected to each other by a sealing or weld seam. While the front panel is usually molded in a three-dimensional shape, resembling the contours held inside the product, the backing element is two-dimensional or three-dimensional. See, for example, Patent Letters No. 6276529 and 6409019 and published application US US2001 / 0032796 A1.

[0003] Such blister packs often include printing for informational or advertising purposes. Typically, printing is located on flat, two-dimensional areas of the package, where they are easy to read due to their appearance on a flat surface. See, for example, US Patent No. 6571953 and US Patent Application Publication US2007 / 0051652 A1.

[0004] By way of example, a blister pack is disclosed in US Patent Application Publication US2009 / 0090643 A1 to demonstrate a toothbrush. The specified plastic blister pack includes the first and second plastic films 16, 20, previously applied in a flat state prior to deep drawing with a printed area later located in a three-dimensionally formed portion of the blister pack. Pre-printing takes a shape along the contour or deforms before molding to achieve the proper appearance after the deep drawing process.

[0005] While the aforementioned packages are usually adapted for their intended purpose, they leave much to be desired in terms of simplicity and preparation of a print or graphic for printing on a flat sheet of plastic before the plastic is molded into a three-dimensional shape, which greatly distorts the appearance of the graphic / print. Accordingly, there is a need for greater flexibility and efficiency of pre-printing during the production of blister packs to achieve minimal distortion in the final three-dimensional form.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In one embodiment, a blister pack is provided for containing an article or article, such as a toothbrush. The package includes a front panel, a substrate element, molded from a flat film to form a contour portion having a longitudinal axis and a print applied to the flat film. The specified print is applied to a flat plastic film, the appearance of which is essentially not distorted on a flat film. The contour portion is linearly elongated along the longitudinal axis. The front panel and the backing member are fixed to each other to form an area for holding the article. Printing on the substrate element is legible, regardless of the distortion caused by the formation of the substrate element from a flat film.

[0007] In another embodiment, a method for making a blister pack for containing an article is provided. A method of making a blister pack for containing an article includes providing a front panel; printing on a flat film, while the type of printing is free from deformation on a flat film; thermoforming a flat film into a substrate element to form a contour portion having a longitudinal axis with a contour portion elongated linearly along the longitudinal axis, wherein printing is performed with a second flat film and retains a legible appearance regardless of distortion caused by molding; the location of the product in one of the front panel or product; and welding the front panel and the backing member together with the product between the front panel and the backing member.

[0008] In certain embodiments, the contour portion is conical in shape.

[0009] In certain embodiments, the first three-dimensional thermoformed structure protrudes from the planar ring a first distance, and the second three-dimensional structure protrudes from the planar flange a second distance less than the first distance.

[0010] In certain embodiments, the contour portion has a convex curved cross section.

[0011] Further areas of application of the present invention are apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood that the detailed description and individual examples, indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended to be illustrative only and not to limit the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] The present invention is more clear from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a blister pack made in accordance with the invention and containing a trade item;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a side view of the package of FIG. one;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the package of FIG. 1 and 2;

[0016] FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view along line IV-IV of FIG. one;

[0017] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of an exemplary flat film prior to thermoforming into a cylindrical contour portion;

[0018] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a cylindrical contour portion thermoformed from the flat film shown in FIG. 5; and

[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the package of FIG. 1-3, containing an approximate subject of trade.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The following description of a preferred embodiment (s) is merely exemplary and is not intended to limit the present invention, its use, or its purpose.

[0021] Unless otherwise indicated, all quantities, numbers, and geometrical features given here or elsewhere in the detailed description should be understood as including substantially approximate compliance with the stipulated condition. For example, the term “planar” should be understood to include substantially or approximately planar configurations.

[0022] Not limited to an exact theory, exemplary objects of the invention include a blister pack and a blister pack production method comprising an upper wall element (eg, a front panel), a lower wall element (eg, a substrate element) and printing (eg, pattern, decoration, advertisement), where the upper wall element is designed to effectively hold the product (for example, a toothbrush, razor), preferably by containing the specific geometry of the product. The bottom wall element is preferably made (for example, molded, thermoformed) after printing from a flat sheet of material (for example plastic) to resemble the final shape of the cylinder or cone base linearly along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bottom wall element. The print is applied to a flat sheet of material without distortion, and it occurs on the final shape element of the bottom wall without distortion. This combination of elements of the upper and lower walls is fixed preferably by a three-dimensional sealed or welded curve, usually used as a two-dimensional sealed or welded seam.

[0023] These embodiments increase the quality of the print placed on the bottom wall element or the substrate element, and provide the substrate element with a three-dimensional shape for undistorted printing located on a flat sheet in comparison with the known flat view. An advantage of said cylindrical / cone-shaped substrate element is that the substrate element is not distorted to the same extent as the upper wall element. This provides the advantage that the print does not have to be distorted before the final assembly of the blister pack, as is known in the art, at least in part due to the longitudinal linear shape of the assembled lower portion. This advantage allows for better graphics and prints and flexibility. An additional advantage of the three-dimensional substrate element is provided by the implementation of transparent windows on the substrate element, which provides visual access to the back or side of the product (for example, toothbrush heads) or other product properties that are usually hidden from view.

[0024] The invention is further described in the following examples. The examples are illustrative only and in no way limit the scope of the invention as described and claims.

[0025] Now referring to the drawings in which like numbers refer to like parts, at 10 in FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a blister pack made according to the invention. Packaging 10 is made to hold the subject of trade. In the shown exemplary embodiment, the subject of trade is a toothbrush 12 (Fig. 7), but it can be any product. Specifically, the packaging embodiment 10 shown in FIG. 1 relates to blister packs. Alternatively, it may be a clam shell package. In any case, the package basically contains a pair of wall elements, here designated as the front panel 14 and the substrate element 16. These wall elements are firmly fixed to each other to form a pocket 18 (Fig. 4), receiving the product between them. Blister pack 10 also includes printing 20 (Fig. 2, 3, 5, 6) on the substrate element 16.

[0026] These wall elements are made of any suitable material, for example, plastic or a polymeric material, such as, without limitation, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and so on, or any other material known to be used in blister packs or clam shell packaging. The material constituting the wall elements may comprise a combination of materials, including transparent, partially transparent, translucent, impermeable and / or opaque materials, and may be performed in any way, such as thermoforming, injection molding or molding.

[0027] In FIG. 1-3, a blister pack 10 is shown in a plan view, in a side view, and in a bottom view, respectively. As best seen in FIG. 1, the front panel is an elongated member having a pair of long side edges 22 and 24 extending along the extension, and a pair of short end edges 26, 28 extending transversely to the extension. The front panel 14 includes a first three-dimensional thermoformed structure 30 and a flat ring 32 extending around the periphery of the first three-dimensional thermoformed structure. The first three-dimensional thermoformed structure is molded from the first flat plastic film, which forms an element of the first wall, and protrudes from the flat ring 32 to a distance D1 (Fig. 4) to form a hollow body like the portion 34 receiving the product. Said article receiving portion 34 is a recess for accepting a trade item and extends substantially along the entire length of the front panel 14, except for the upper portion 36 adjacent to the short end edge 26, which forms the package holder 10. The upper portion 36 is shown as forming a hook 38 to hang the package 10 from the exposition shelf. Said article receiving section 34 may have a uniform width and depth along the entire length, or may be brought into line with a particular profile of the subject of trade, as can be seen in FIG. 7. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the product receiving portion 34 is profiled to fit the profile of the toothbrush 12.

[0028] As best seen in FIG. 1 and 2, the planar ring 32 extends outward around the entire periphery of the first three-dimensional thermoformed structure 30 to form its edges 22, 24, 26, 28. The planar ring 32 serves as a means of securing the front panel 14 with the backing member 16. For example, the front panel 14 and the substrate element 16 may be secured with a sealed or welded seam, as is clear to a person skilled in the art.

[0029] The second wall element serving as the substrate element 16 of the package 10 includes a substantially cylindrical or cone-shaped element as the second three-dimensional thermoformed structure 40 and a flat flange 42 extending around the periphery of the second three-dimensional structure having a size and shape corresponding to the flat ring 32 The second three-dimensional thermoformed structure 40 is molded from the second flat plastic film and protrudes from the flat flange 42 to form a cylindrical contour section 44 having a longitudinal axis 46 with a cylindrical contour section along the longitudinal axis (Fig. 2).

[0030] Thus, as best seen in FIG. 2 and 3, the substrate element is an elongated element comprising a pair of long side edges 48, 50 extending substantially parallel to axis 46 and a pair of short side edges 52, 54 extending transversely to axis 4. Without limiting to the specific theory of FIG. 2 shows that the longitudinal axis 46 is offset from and not limited to parallel alignment with the plane of the flat flange 42. For example, when the longitudinal axis 46 is not parallel to the plane of the flat flange, the second three-dimensional thermoformed structure may appear substantially conical, since the angle is offset from the plane of the flat flange increases from parallel. Any such configuration is contemplated within the scope of the invention.

[0031] As described previously, the substrate element 16 may be made 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). By reference to FIG. 2 and 3, the inner surface 56 of the substrate element 16 is adjacent to its peripheral edges 48, 50, 52, 54, formed by a flat flange 42, securely attached (for example, secured with adhesive, heat seal, etc.) to the flat ring 32 of the front panel 14 to form a sealed portion 68. Fastening together the front panel 14 and the substrate element 16 to form an embedded cavity or pocket 18 (Fig. 4), receiving the product, which holds the subject of trade, for example, a toothbrush 12 (Fig. 7). Undoubtedly, printing can be applied either to the inner surface 56 or to the outer surface 58, within the scope of the invention.

[0032] In FIG. 4 shows a blister pack 10 in cross section, showing by way of example the number of protrusions formed by thermoforming the front panel 14 and the substrate member 16. The first three-dimensional thermoformed structure 30 projects from the flat ring 32 to a distance D1, and the second three-dimensional thermoformed structure 40 is shown protruding from the flat flange 42 to the second distance D2. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the distance D2 is less than the distance D1, which means that the substrate element 16 is not distorted to the same extent as the front panel. The second three-dimensional thermoformed structure 40 is not rectilinear or flat in cross section, but is preferably curved outward in a slightly convex manner with a bending radius RC greater than the distance D2 representing the protrusion distance of the second three-dimensional thermoformed structure from the flat flange 42. This reduces any distortion of the second three-dimensional thermoformed structure and eliminates any distortion longitudinally parallel to the longitudinal axis 46. Without limiting to a specific theory, examples of demonstrators shown in the drawings ruyut bending radius RC of at least about half the distance D2 superior for reducing distortion, while at the same time, providing a convex curved profile.

[0033] Said second three-dimensional structure 40 includes a cylindrical contour section 44 extending longitudinally along the thermoformed structure 40, preferably including structures 40, preferably including inscriptions 20, shown by way of example in FIG. 2, 3 and 6. As part of the second three-dimensional thermoformed structure 40, the cylindrical contour portion 44 is formed from the second flat plastic film 62 (FIG. 5) into its cylindrical shape, as shown in FIG. 6. Printing 20 is applied to the second flat plastic film 62 with a view free from distortion on the second flat plastic film. In other words, the print is undistorted, as if it was intended to be viewed on a flat sheet.

[0034] After the second flat plastic film 62 is formed into the second three-dimensional thermoformed structure 40, the cylindrical contour portion still appears essentially as it is shown. During thermoforming of the cylindrical contour portion 44, the portion is not deformed along or parallel to the longitudinal axis, but only slightly transverse to the axis. Such deformation keeps the cylindrical contour section without longitudinal deformation, therefore, reducing any print deformation on the cylindrical contour section 44. Advantageously, such molding of the cylindrical contour section 44 does not distort the contour section along the linear segments 64 (Fig. 6) parallel to the longitudinal axis 46. Accordingly , such molding allows only minimal distortion of the transverse longitudinal axis, thereby reducing any distortion of the cylindrical contour section or any print 20, by mounted on the cylindrical contour section 44. This advantage means that the substrate element 16 is not distorted to the extent equal to the distortion of the front panel 14, and the inscription 20 does not appear distorted on the thermoformed cylindrical contour section 44. Accordingly, any inscription 20 does not require prior distortion before molding substrate element or packaging end unit 10, which allows for clearer graphics and print design, as well as greater flexibility in applying images, taking into account that the print is applied to the second flat plate an astrakhan film will look the same as the image visible on the final assembled package 10.

[0035] While the front panel 14 and the backing member 16 are described above as containing a combination of materials including transparent, partially transparent, translucent, etc., it is preferred that the blister pack 10 includes windows 60 of transparent material with or without printing. prints for visibility of the product inside. For example, as can be seen in FIG. 2, 3, 5 and 6, said substrate element 16 includes a window 60 of transparent material for 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 has a 360 ° view of the head of the toothbrush. The window 60 and other windows of the backing member 16 help consumers see the back of toothbrushes or other properties that are normally inaccessible to viewing prior to acquiring a toothbrush.

[0036] While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific examples thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications are possible here without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the front panel 14 and the backing member 16 may be secured by partially attaching the flat ring to the flat flange or by friction fit. Without further development, the foregoing fully illustrates the invention, which others, by applying existing or future knowledge, can easily be adapted for use under various service conditions.

[0037] As elsewhere, limits are used as conventions to describe each value within those limits. Any value within these limits can be selected by the final limit. In addition, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the event of a conflict regarding the definition in the present description and the cited references, the present description is governed.

Claims (21)

1. A blister pack for containing the product, comprising: a front panel;
a substrate member formed from a flat film to form a contour portion having a longitudinal axis and a convex curved cross section; and printing on the contour plot;
in which the contour portion is linear along the longitudinal axis and is not deformed along or parallel to the longitudinal axis, but is deformed only transversely to the axis, with the front panel and the substrate element fixed together to form an area to hold the product, while the print is legible on the substrate element,
the front panel comprises a first three-dimensional structure and a flat ring; and the substrate element further comprises a flat flange and a second three-dimensional structure; wherein the first three-dimensional structure protrudes from the planar ring by a first distance, the second three-dimensional structure protrudes from the planar flange by a second distance,
the bending radius of the convex curved cross section exceeds the second distance. 2. The blister pack according to claim 1, wherein the second distance is less than the first distance. 3. The blister pack according to claim 1 or 2, in which the contour section has a conical shape. 4. The blister pack according to claim 1, in which the contour section contains a transparent section of the substrate element for visual
access to the product. 5. The blister pack according to claim 4, in which the product is a toothbrush containing:
a head with an extended handle; and
the bristles attached to the head, while the transparent portion of the substrate element allows visual access to the head of the toothbrush. 6. The blister pack of claim 1, wherein the substrate element comprises an inner surface directed toward the article and an outer surface opposite to the inner surface and directed away from the article, with printing applied to the inner surface of the substrate element. 7. The blister pack according to claim 1, wherein the substrate element comprises an inner surface directed toward the article and an outer surface opposite to the inner surface and directed away from the article, with printing applied to the outer surface of the substrate element. 8. The blister pack of claim 1, wherein the front panel further comprises a flat ring; and the substrate element further comprises a flat flange, wherein the flat ring is attached to the flat flange to form an area. 9. The blister pack of claim 1, wherein the contour portion extends across the width of the substrate element. 10. A method of performing a blister pack to contain the product, including:
a) front panel support;
b) printing on a flat film, while printing
has a view free from distortion on a flat film;
c) thermoforming a flat film into a substrate element to form a contour portion having a longitudinal axis and a convex curved cross section with the contour portion linearly along the longitudinal axis, wherein the print is thermoformed with a second flat film and retains a legible appearance regardless of distortion caused by thermoforming;
d) placing the product in one of the front panel and the backing member; and
e) sealing the front panel and the backing member with the product between the front panel and the backing member;
at the same time, during thermoforming, the contour section does not deform along or parallel to the longitudinal axis, but only deforms transversely to the axis. 11. The method according to p. 10, in which the contour section is cylindrical. 12. The method according to p. 10 or 11, in which the front panel further comprises a first three-dimensional structure and a flat ring; and the substrate element further comprises a flat flange and a second three-dimensional structure; wherein the first three-dimensional structure protrudes from the planar ring by a first distance, the second three-dimensional structure protrudes from the flat flange by a second distance, while the second distance is less than the first distance. 13. The method according to p. 12, in which the convex curved cross section has a bending radius exceeding the second distance. 14. The method according to p. 10, in which the contour section has a conical shape. 15. A substrate element attached to the front panel to form a blister pack to hold the product, the front panel includes a first three-dimensional thermoformed structure and a flat ring extending around the periphery of the first three-dimensional thermoformed structure, while the first three-dimensional thermoformed structure is molded from the first flat film and protrudes from the flat ring to form a portion receiving the article, wherein the first thermoformed structure includes a first transparent portion for visual access to the product, while the substrate element contains:
a second three-dimensional thermoformed structure; a flat flange extending around the periphery of the second three-dimensional thermoformed structure; and print,
wherein the second three-dimensional thermoformed structure is formed from the second flat film and protrudes from the flat flange to form a cylindrical contour section having a longitudinal axis and a convex curved cross section, while the contour section is linear along the longitudinal axis and not deformed along or parallel to the longitudinal axis, but deformed only transverse to the axis;
the substrate element is attached to the front panel by gluing a flat ring with a flat flange to form a sealed area, while the first and second three-dimensional thermoformed structures interact for
the formation of a pocket for the product receiving the product, while the print is on the contour section and legible on the substrate element,
moreover, the contour section extends across the width of the substrate element between the flat flanges at opposite ends of the width. 16. The substrate element according to claim 15, the contour portion includes a transparent portion of the substrate element for visual access to the product. 17. The substrate element according to claim 16, in which the product is a toothbrush containing:
a head with an extended handle; and
the bristles attached to the head, while the transparent portion of the substrate element allows visual access to the head of the toothbrush. 18. The substrate element according to any one of paragraphs. 15-17, in which the first three-dimensional thermoformed structure protrudes from the flat ring by a first distance, the second three-dimensional thermoformed structure protrudes from the flat flange by a second distance less than the first distance. 19. The substrate element according to any one of paragraphs. 15-17, in which the bending radius of the convex curved cross section exceeds the protrusion of the second three-dimensional thermoformed structure from a flat flange. 20. The substrate element according to any one of paragraphs. 15-17, in which the contour section has a conical shape. 21. The substrate element according to any one of paragraphs. 15-17, in which the contour portion is cylindrical.

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