Clear plastic package

• US 5,893,459 A
• Filed: 02/13/1997
• Issued: 04/13/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Modern Aids Inc.
• Original Assignee: Modern Aids Inc.
• Inventors: Croft, Douglas E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ackun, Jacob K.
• Application Number:
  US08/799,321
• Time in Patent Office: 789 Days
• Field of Search: 206/460, 206/461, 206/466, 206/468, 206/470, 206/775, 206/776, 206/778, 206/806, 206/69, 206/769, 206/770, 206/771, 206/469
• US Class Current: 206/460
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/04 Dielectric heating, e.g. high-frequency welding , i.e. radio frequency welding of plastic materials having dielectric properties, e.g. PVC
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1122 Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/242 said joint lines being closed, i.e. forming closed contours
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/43 Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles B29C66/45 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/81427 comprising a single ridge, e.g. for making a weakening line; comprising a single tooth
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/832 Reciprocating joining or pressing tools B29C66/834 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8432 Machines for making separate joints at the same time mounted in parallel or in series
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 11/50 Enclosing articles, or quantities of material, by disposing contents between two sheets, e.g. pocketed sheets, and securing their opposed free margins apparatus or devices for forming pockets in or from sheets, blanks or webs B65B47/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/02 Labels
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/30 Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 206/806 Suspension
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 53/02 High frequency electric sealing

Abstract

The present invention provides a sturdy display package which, in an embodiment, is made of first and second peripherally sealed transparent PVC sheets approximately 7.5 mils thick each. The package is particularly useful for displaying and protecting small items such as pain reliever packets or condoms. The invention includes a method and apparatus for making such a package. The first sheet is positioned over a nesting plate having a plurality of nesting modules, each corresponding to one package and being independently height-adjustable by a shim at a selected location to correct sealing flaws. The second sheet is then positioned over the first sheet so that the items are between the sheets. An RF-sealing die is provided having package-shaped sealing dies, each defining a pocket. The sealing die and nesting plate are pressed together so that each pocket receives a bulge formed by from one of the items. Each pocket has a foam insert which resiliently deforms and presses the second plastic sheet peripherally around the item. The RF sealing die nests against the nesting plate forming a plurality of seal areas, each enclosing one of the items and defining one package. The individual packages may then be cut from a resulting composite sheet.

Claims

1. A package containing an item, the package comprising:

a front sheet and a back sheet having peripheral edges in matching registry, both sheets being made of transparent PVC plastic approximately 7.5 mils thick;

a hanger hole disposed through said front and back sheets, said front and back sheets being peripherally sealed around said hanger hole;

at least one notch in said peripheral edges; and

an adhesive securing the item at a predetermined position against the back sheet;

wherein the front and back sheets are sealed together along the peripheral edges to form an enclosed pouch within which the item resides, the front and back sheets each non-permanently deflecting outwardly to accommodate the item therebetween.

2. The package according to claim 1, wherein the front and back sheets are sealed together by a non-resealable seal along the peripheral edges to form the enclosed pouch.