Hangable package structure

Abstract

A hangable package structure for use with small, heavy products that are sold in blister card packages is disclosed. The package can be suspended from a peg or displayed on a shelf without using a tray or other holder. The package prevents the occurrence of a problem known as “hanger hole tear-through” of the blister card and provides for partial portability of the purchased product.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention is directed to hangable packages typically employed in a self-serve retail environment where consumers can select individual packages from a shelf or rack. In particular, this invention is directed to packages that include a card which is hung from a peg that passes through an opening in the top of the card. [0002] Package structures used to display articles for sale come in a wide array of designs. The ideal package is inexpensive to manufacture using well known manufacturing equipment and has several features that are important to the consumer and / or the retail store's personnel. For example, in order to maximize the merchant's flexibility for displaying a package at various locations throughout the store, the package should be both peggable as well as able to stand without needing a holder or tray. Peggable packages are packages that can be suspended from a generally horizontal rod that passes through an opening in the package. An...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a package structure that can hold small items without tearing the blister card and can be used in a vertical orientation. It includes a partially enclosed interior region that is defined by a folded strip shaped base member having two openings. The first compartment is secured to the base member's first end and is located within the enclosed interior region. The process of manufacturing the package structure involves providing a base member, securing a compartment to the first end of the base member, and folding the base member to align the openings and create an unobstructed path through the enclosed interior region. The technical effects of this invention include the ability to hold small items without tearing the blister card and the ability to stand vertically."

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, the use of a blister card package structure to display and sell heavy products can cause problems for the retail store owners, customers, and manufacturers of the goods for sale.

Because the card has been torn, store personnel cannot return the blister card to the peg so that the merchandise can be displayed and sold.

Another cause of the hanger hole tear-through problem is rough handling of the blister card package by consumers.

When a blister card package is removed from a peg, the consumer may inadvertently pull down on the package causing the peg to tear the card above the hangar hole.

If the consumer should then decide not to purchase that package, it cannot be rehung on the peg because the card was accidentally torn.

In addition to occurring within a retail store, the hanger hole tear through problem can occur during shipment of the blister carded product from the manufacturer of the merchandise to the store.

This problem is particularly noticeable when a merchandiser containing blister cards is shipped preloaded.

This step needlessly increases the manufacturer's cost.

Another problem with using blister card package structures is that the package cannot stand by itself in a vertical position.

This problem is caused by the extension of the cavity's lower flange 33 that must be secured to the card member in order to seal the merchandise into the cavity.

However, neither the application of tape to the card nor the folding over at the top of the card resolve both the hanger hold tear-through problem and enable the package to stand by itself on a horizontal surface.

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