Pilfer-resistant packaging with criss-cross grain pattern

• US 7,051,876 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2003
• Issued: 05/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Colbert Packaging Corporation
• Original Assignee: Colbert Packaging Corporation
• Inventors: Grosskopf, Glenn A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gehman, Bryon P.
• Application Number:
  US10/651,815
• Publication Number:
  US 20040040880A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,006 Days
• Field of Search: 206461-471, 206484-4842, 206/532, 229/940, 383/201
• US Class Current: 206/462
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/035 Blister-type containers blisters in general B65D75/36
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2215/04 requiring the combination of different actions in succession
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 73/0092 combined with a preformed enclosure, e.g. a bulb
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/0445 all the articles being stored in individual compartments
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 229/94 Container material with specified grain direction

Abstract

A clamshell package for displaying and housing products or other objects that is substantially pilfer-resistant, yet safe to open. The clamshell packaging includes a substantially tear-resistant housing that encloses a display chamber by criss-cross grain material to provide cut or tear resistance in multiple directions. The display chamber of the clamshell package may be either substantially transparent to allow for the product to be displayed or substantially opaque display graphics and/or to prevent the contents from being viewed. The chamber is preferably seamless such that it may not be opened without the use of scissors and, when opened, such opening is readily apparent. Furthermore, when cut open, the material used does not form sharp or jagged edges that may pose a danger to anyone handling the package. In addition to clamshell packages, the tear resistant material may also be used in blister packs and other types of packaging.

Claims

1. A clamshell package comprising:

a housing comprising;

a first portion made from a substantially tear-resistant material having a grain aligned in substantially one direction;

a second portion attached to the first portion and made from a substantially tear-resistant material having a grain aligned in a direction relative to said grain of said first portion so as to result in a criss-cross pattern of grain when said first and second portions are placed together so as to provide resistance to tearing in multiple directions; and

an opening in the first portion of the housing; and

a display chamber substantially surrounded by and extending through said opening of the first portion of the housing and secured within the housing.

2. The clamshell package of claim 1 wherein the second portion is fixedly attached to the first portion.

3. The clamshell package of claim 1 wherein the first and second portion are made from a printable material.

4. The clamshell package of claim 1 wherein the display chamber includes a rim that abuts against a side of the first portion of the housing when the display chamber extends through the housing to retain the display chamber within the housing.

5. The clamshell package of claim 1 wherein the substantially tear-resistant material is a SPS board coated with a polyethylene material.

6. The clamshell package of claim 1 wherein the display chamber is made from a material that is substantially transparent.

7. The clamshell package of claim 1 wherein the display chamber is made from a material that is substantially opaque.

8. The clamshell package of claim 7 wherein the display chamber is made from a substantially tear-resistant material.

9. The clamshell package of claim 8 wherein the substantially tear-resistant material is a SPS board coated with a polyethylene material.

10. The clamshell package of claim 8 wherein the display chamber is substantially seamless.

11. The clamshell package of claim 8 wherein the display chamber comprises an exterior, and wherein the display chamber includes graphics on the exterior.

12. The clamshell package of claim 1 which further comprises a slot extending through the first and second portions of the housing for use in displaying the clamshell package.

13. A blister pack for dispensing objects comprising:

a blister sheet having one or more blisters, wherein each blister includes a cavity for housing an object; and

a housing comprising;

a first portion made from a substantially tear-resistant material, the first portion having a grain aligned in substantially one direction; and

a second portion made from a substantially tear-resistant material, the second portion having a grain aligned in a direction relative to the grain of the first portion and attached to the first portion so as to result in a criss-cross pattern of grains to provide resistance to tearing in multiple directions.

wherein the blister sheet is positioned between the first portion and the second portion such that at least part of at least one of the cavities extends outward from the first portion.

14. The blister pack of claim 13 wherein the object is a pill.

15. The blister pack of claim 13 wherein the substantially tear-resistant material comprises a SPS board coated with a polyethylene material.

16. A clamshell package comprising:

a housing comprising;

a first portion made from a substantially tear-resistant and printable material having grain aligned in a first direction;

a second portion attached to the first portion and made from a substantially tear-resistant material having grain aligned in a second direction relative to said grain of said first portion so as to result in a criss-cross pattern of grain when said first and second portions are placed together so as to provide resistance to tearing in multiple directions; and

an opening in the first portion of the housing; and

a display chamber substantially surrounded by and extending through the opening of the first portion of the housing, wherein the display chamber includes a rim that abuts against the underside of the first portion of the housing when the display chamber is substantially surrounded by said first portion to secure the display chamber with respect to the housing, and wherein the display chamber is substantially seamless.

17. A clamshell package comprising:

a housing comprising;

a first portion made from a SPS board coated with a substantially tear-resistant material having a grain aligned in substantially one direction;

a second portion attached to the first portion and made from a SPS board coated with a substantially tear-resistant material having a grain aligned in a direction relative to said grain of said first portion so as to result in a criss-cross pattern of grain when said first and second portions are placed together so as to provide resistance to tearing in multiple directions; and

an opening in the first portion of the housing; and

a display chamber substantially surrounded by and extending through said opening of the first portion of the housing and secured within the housing.

18. The clamshell package of claim 17 wherein the substantially tear-resistant material comprises polyethylene.

19. A blister pack for dispensing objects comprising:

a blister sheet having one or more blisters, wherein each blister includes a cavity for housing an object; and

a housing comprising;

a first portion made from a SPS board coated with a substantially tear-resistant material having a grain aligned in substantially one direction; and

a second portion made from a SPS board coated with a substantially tear-resistant material having a grain aligned in a direction relative to the grain of the first portion and attached to the first portion so as to result in a substantially criss-cross pattern of grains to provide resistance to tearing in multiple directions.

wherein the blister sheet is positioned between the first portion and the second portion such that at least part of the cavity extends outward from the first portion.

20. The blister pack of claim 19 wherein the substantially tear-resistant material comprises polyethylene.