Blister package for adhesive compositions

Abstract

There is disclosed a novel sandwich blister package for adhesive composition products and similar articles which generally experience short shelf lives due to exposure to air, vapors, and other environmental elements. The package comprises a plastic film blister having heat-formed cavities which contain the product; and a laminated blister card superimposed upon and sealed to the plastic film blister to form an air, water, and vapor-proof blister package assembly of a predetermined size and shape that significantly extends shelf life of the adhesive composition product.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to packaging for storing and displaying glue sticks and other adhesive composition products, and more particularly to blister card packaging for storing and displaying such products while significantly increasing shelf life and product stability. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Many adhesive products are provided in primary containers formed of plastics in order to provide a relatively stable, durable, and user-friendly package. In the case of glue sticks, the primary package is generally cylindrical, having a circular horizontal cross-sectional geometry (“round” glue sticks). More recently, glue sticks have been sold using a primary package having a horizontal cross-section that is generally oval or ovaloid. Such oval or ovaloid packages are often referred to as “wide” glue sticks since they impart a wider tip to the dispensed glue stick or other adhesive composition contained in the package. In the particular case of g...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] The invention further includes methods of using the plastic film sandwich blister package of the invention as a secondary package to reduce the loss of moisture from the adhesive composition resulting from the exposure of the primary container and its adhesive contents to air. As secondary benefit is that the blister isolates the primary package and contents from exposure to environmental conditions such as vapor humidity and liquid water. By isolating the product in a substantially airtight package, the present invention will significantly lengthen the useful shelf life of the product. In addition, the present invention provides a superior secondary package for display of the product for retail sale.

[0008] The plastic materials that can be used for the plastic film portion of the blister package of the invention are those which are resilient, heat formable and heat sealable such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidine chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyolefin, fluoroplastics, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, PVC films having a thickness of from between about 005 inches to about 0.008 inches provide the desired packaging and processing properties for use in the sandwich blister package of the invention and are commercially available. Additionally, PVC films can be readily heated to form the cavities for receiving and retaining product, retain the integrity of the formed cavities after cooling, and are heat sealable.

Problems solved by technology

Passing air to the product results in undesirable aging of the product, and eventually deteriorates the product to the point that desirable properties such as adhesion and ease of application are lost.

Additionally, some adhesive compositions are hygroscopic making it necessary to protect them from moisture degradation so that they retain their usefulness over prolonged periods; i.e. shelf life stability, until they are consumed.

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