US3367491A - Dispensing blister package - Google Patents

Description

I Feb. 6, 1968 R. B. DUNl-LAM ET AL 3,367,491

DISPENSING BLISTER PACKAGE Filed Jan. 25, 1967 FIGI H06 FIG? INVENTORS RONALD B DUNHAM WILLIAM H. JONES BY MIM,IW J aka-+11;

ATTORNEYS United States Patent Office 3,367,491 DISPENSING BLISTER PACKAGE Ronald B. Duuham, 891 Union Lake Road, Union Lake, Mich. 48085, and William H. Jones, 19431 E. Cameron Ave., Covina, Calif. 91722 Filed Jan. 25, 1967, Ser. No. 611,619 8 Claims. (Cl. 206-78) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLGSURE A blister package including a molded transparent container secured to a base is provided with an opening in the base covered by internal, slidable closure means. The closure means may be slid across the base along a predetermined path to uncover the opening, and is prevented from moving transversely of the path of travel by guide means on the container. Bending of the closure means out of contact with the base is prevented by abutment means on the container. The container includes detent means resisting initial movement of the closure means to prevent inadvertent uncovering of the opening.

Background of invention In merchandising certain kinds of goods it is frequently advantageous to utilize so-called blister packages. In such packages, the goods are usually enclosed within a hollow, open blister of thin, rigid, transparent material, such as celluloid, secured about its open peripheral edge to a relatively stiff display card. Access to the contents is obtained by tearing open or otherwise destroying the blister.

Such blister packages, though widely used, may prove unsatisfactory in certain circumstances. For example, in merchandising certain goods which are usually purchased in plural quantities and used at spaced intervals, such as medicinal pills or hardware items such as screws and the like, it is not practicable to utilize a package which must be destroyed upon opening. Other problems may arise if a manufacturer of goods wishes to purchase ready made blister packages which he may fill directly with his goods without requiring special equipment to seal the blister to the card after filling.

For these reasons, interest has been shown in developing a blister package from which goods may be selectively withdrawn'as required without destruction of the package or which may be filled without requiring special sealing equipment. One approach to this problem has involved the provision of blister packages wherein the package is provided with an opening in one package wall controlled by some form of sliding closure. Such prior devices have generally proven unsatisfactory for a number of reasons, one of the most frequent being a failure to provide adequate guidance for the sliding closure.

For example, it may be possible for the closure to move transversely of its path of travel during movement to the fully closed position so that in its final position the closure is sufliciently transversely displaced from the opening to leave a gap through which some of the contents, if sufliciently small, may escape. Alternatively, it may be possible for the closure to be bent out of contact with the adjacent package wall, permitting some of the contents to pass between the closure and the package wall out through the opening. Either result is unsatisfactory, firstly in permitting loss of contents and secondly in permitting the ingress of outside contaminants such as dust and the like. This advantage is particularly acute where the items are relatively minute such as, for example, certain medicinal tablets, small ball bearings and the like.

Another disadvantage of prior devices of this type has 3,367,491 Patented Feb. 6, 1968 caused by the force of gravity if the package is unintentionally inverted.

Summary 0 f invention It is therefore a general object of the invention to provide a dispensing blister package so constructed that the possibility of inadvertent loss of any of the contents of the package is minimized.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide a dispensing blister package of the type including a dispensing opening controlled by a slidable closure, wherein motion of the closure transversely of its path of travel is effectively prevented.

It is another object of the invention to provide a dispensing blister package of the type described wherein the sliding closure is effectively restrained against accidental opening.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a dispensing blister package of the type described wherein bending of the closure out of contact with adjacent po tions of the package is effectively prevented.

The drawings In accordance with these objects, a dispensing blister package forming one preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the dispensing blister package shown with the sliding closure in a fully closed position;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the dispensing package shown in FIGURE 1 with the sliding closure in a partially open position;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional end View of the dispensing blister package shown in FIGURE 1 taken along the line 33 therein;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the dispensing blister package shown in FIGURE 1 taken along the line 44 therein;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional end view of the dispensing blister package shown in FIGURE 1 taken along the line 5-5 therein;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional end view of the dispensing blister package shown in FIGURE 1 taken along the lines 66 therein;

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the dispensing blister package shown in FIGURE 1 taken along the lines 77 therein showing the resilient detent prior to movement of the sliding closure from the fully closed position; and

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the dispensing blister package shown in FIGURE 2 taken along the lines 88 therein showing the detent subsequent to movement of the sliding closure from the fully closed position.

Detailed description Referring to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, the preferred embodiment there shown includes a flat rectangular base wall 2 having secured to an outer face surface 3 thereof, an outwardly directed, generally rectangular, transparent blister 4. A rectangular aperture 6 in the base wall 2 is covered by a relatively larger, rectangular, overlapping, closure plate 8 abutting the base wall 2 in a fully closed position of the closure plate. The closure plate 8 may be slid forwardly along the base wall 2 by a pull applied to a tab 10 connected to the closure plate 8 to progressively expose the opening 6 so that the contents of the package may be withdrawn. The closure plate 8 is provided with spaced opposed guide edge surfaces 12 extending parallel to the direction of motion of the closure plate 8, which abut guide walls 14 molded into the blister 4 so that motion of the closure plate transversely of its sliding direction of closure is prevented.

Additionally, the blister 4 is provided with abutment surfaces 16 parallel to the outer surface 3 of the base wall and abutting the outer surface of the closure plate 8. The abutment surfaces 16 hold the closure plate 8 in continuous abutting contact with the face surface 3 of the base wall 2 throughout the range of movement of the closure plate 8. Inadvertent opening of the closure plate 8 is prevented by resilient detents 18 molded in the blister 4 abutting the leading portions 20 of the closure plate in the fully closed position.

The previously mentioned base wall 2 forming the base wall of the dispensing package in the preferred embodiment comprises a flat cardboard display card, but any suitable material capable of providing sufficient rigidity for the dispensing blister package may be used. It will be appreciated that a base wall molded from the same material as the blister and integral therewith may also be provided. The surface of the display card 2 to which the blister 4 is secured may be printed with the usual indicia such as advertising matter, price and the like. The card 2 includes a hole 22 on the center line of the display card adjacent the forward edge thereof by which the dispensing package may be hung on a suitable hook or the like.

The previously mentioned blister 4 is of generally rectangular form and includes two spaced opposed forwardly and outwardly extending side walls 26, spaced opposed end walls 28 and 30, respectively, perpendicular to and relatively shorter than the side walls 26, and an outer wall 32 parallel to the base wall 2. Although a rectangular form has been described, it will be appreciated that other regular or irregular three-dimensional forms may be utilized.

The blister 4 may be formed in any suitable conventional manner such as, for example, vacuum forming or the like. The blister 4 also includes a rectangular base flange 34 lying in a plane parallel to and spaced from the top 32. The base flange 34 is secured to the flat face of the base 2 with the longitudinal and lateral axes of the blister 4 and the base wall 2 in respective alignment. Any suitable known form of adhesive or thermal bonding may be utilized to secure the blister 4 to the base 2.

The blister 4 also includes the previously mentioned guide walls 14 which are parallel to and spaced from the side walls 26 of the bubble. Each guide wall 14 is integral with and extends perpendicularly outwardly from the adjacent portion of base flange 34.

The guide walls 14 are parallel to and abuttingly contact the previously mentioned edge surfaces 12 (FIGURE 3) of the closure plate 8 so that the closure plate 8 may move only in a forward and rearward direction. In this manner any looseness or transverse motion of the card in its fully closed position which might permit the portions of the opening to become uncovered by the closure plate 8, permitting inadvertent loss of some of the contents of the package or the ingress of contaminants or dirt, is effectively prevented. The closure plate 8 in a partially open position is shown in FIGURE 2.

Integral with and connecting each vertical wall 26 and the adjacent guide wall 14 are the previously mentioned abutment portions 16. The abutment portions 16 are disposed in a plane parallel to and spaced outwardly from the outer, face surface 3 of the base wall 2. Referring to FIGURE 4 the closure plate 8 includes a flat, first surface 40 in abutting, sliding contact with the outer surface 3 of the base wall 2 and a parallel, outwardly spaced, second surface 42. The outward extent of each of the previously mentioned guide walls 14 in a direction measured perpendicular to the surface 3 of the base wall 2 is such as to place the abutting portions 16 in sliding abutting contact with the second surface 42 of the closure plate 8.

In this manner, the abutment portions 16 effectively 4- hold the closure plate 8 in continuous abutting contact with the face surface 3 of the base wall 2, thereby effectively minimizing possible loss of any of the contents of the package between the surfaces 3 and 42 of the base wall 2 and the closure plate 8 through the opening 6 due to outward bending of the closure plate.

The closure plate 8 also includes spaced forward and rear edges 44 and 4-6 perpendicular to the guide edge surfaces 12. Those portions of the forward edge 44 extending on either side of the tabs 10 define the previously mentioned leading edge portions 20.

The previously mentioned aperture 6 in the base wall 2 is defined by spaced opposed, forwardly and rearwardly extending edges 48, parallel to and positioned inwardly of, the position occupied by the guide edge surfaces 12 of the closure plate 8 in the fully closed condition and by spaced opposed edges extending perpendicularly between the edges 48 adjacent and spaced inwardly of the positions occupied by the forward and rear edges 44 and 46 of the closure plate 8 in the fully closed position thereof. Although a rectangular opening 6 symmetrically disposed with respect to the closure 8 has been described, it will be appreciated that any opening profile, in any disposition, may be provided so long as it is entirely covered by the closure plate 8 in the fully closed position thereof.

So that the closure plate 8 may be moved, the previously mentioned tab 10 is provided. The tab 10 includes first and second flat surfaces 52 and 54, respectively, coplanar with the first and second surfaces 40 and 42 of the closure plate 8. The tab 10 also includes tab edge surfaces 56 parallel to and spaced inwardly of the guide edge surfaces 12 of the closure plate. An opening 58 (FIGURE 5) is molded into the forward portion of the base flange 34 to permit the tab 10 to pass forwardly out of the blister 4. The opening 58 is defined by forwardly extending side web portions 60 generally perpendicular to the plane of the outer surface 3 of the base wall 2 and continuously abutting the tab edge surfaces 56 of the tab 10. The side webs 60 guide and center the tab 10 in its path of travel and assist in reducing the possibility of transverse or rotational movement of the closure plate 8 to which the tab is connected.

The side webs 60 are joined by a cross web 62 parallel to and in abutting contact with the second surface 54 of the tab 10. The cross web 62 holds the tab 10 securely against the base wall 2.

It will be appreciated that the opening 58 snugly rcceives the tab 10 with the result that no articles may inadvertently pass out of the blister through the tab opening and also minimizing the possibility that dust and the like may enter the package.

At its free forward extremity the tab 10 is provided with an integral tag 64 extending transversely of the tab 10. The tag 64 includes a forward lateral edge 66 which in the fully closed position of the closure plate 8 is aligned with a forward lateral edge 68 of the base wall 2. The tag 64 also includes a hook aperture 70 (FIGURE 4) which is aligned with the hook aperture 22 of the base wall 2 when the closure plate 8 is in the fully closed position so that when the dispensing package is hung on a hook for display purposes it may not be opened, thereby discouraging casual pilfering.

Motion of the closure plate in its path of travel within the blister 4 is limited by forward and rear end stops 72 and 74 integral with the blister 4. The rear end stop 74 extends perpendicularly between the rear extremities of the guide walls 14 parallel to and spaced rearwardly from the rear end wall 30 and is perpendicular to the base flange 34. In the fully closed position the rear edge 46 of the closure plate 8 abuts the rear stop 74 and is thereby prevented from further rearward movement. A rear abutment portion 76, coplanar with the abutment portions 16 and connecting the bottom side surface 30 and the rear stop 74, contacts the upper surface 42 of the closure plate to hold the latter against the base 2 to provide added security for the contents.

The forward stop 72 abuts the leading edge portions- 20 of the closure plate 8 in the fully opened position thereof to limit further forward motion of the closure plate. The forward stop 72, extending perpendicularly be tween the forward extremities of the guide walls 14, intersects the previously mentioned forward end wall 28 and is perpendicular to the flange 34 and adjacent portions of the abutment portions 16.

To strengthen the walls 26 of the bubble, spaced, outwardly extending dimples 80 (FIGURES 4 and 6) may be provided.

To resist initial movement of the closure plate 8 from the fully closed position to prevent inadvertent opening of the dispensing package, the previously mentioned detents 18 are provided. Referring to FIGURES 7 and 8, each detent 18 may be seen to comprise a molded dimple in each abutment portion 14 extending toward and contacting the outer surface of the base wall 2. Each dimple 18 is positioned forwardly of and in abutting contact with an adjacent leading edge portion 20 of the closure plate 8, as best seen in FIGURE 7. Before the closure plate can move, it is necessary for the abutment portion 14 to be resiliently deformed to the configuration shown in FIGURE 8, thereby providing a safeguard against accidental opening. The dimples 18 extend partially into adjacent portions of the side walls 26.

It will be seen that in constructing a dispensing blister package according to the present invention, a container particularly effective both in minimizing the possibility of accidental loss of the contents and in resisting the ingress of outside dirt and dust is provided.

In particular the guide walls ensure that the closure in moving to the fully closed position always fully covers the opening thereby preventing any transverse misalignment of the closure which might permit escape of the contents.

Similarly the abutment portions which hold the closure constantly in contact with the outer surface of the base prevent the escape of contents or the ingress of dirt between the closure plate and the base wall via the opening.

Other important advantages are provided by the resilient detents which guard against the possibility that the package may be opened unintentionally with possible loss of some of its contents.

Although the invention is described with reference to one preferred embodiment, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that additions, deletions, modifications, substitutions and other changes not specifically described or illustrated in these embodiments may be made which will fall within the purview of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A dispensing blister package comprising:

a rigid, thin-walled, space-enclosing blister having one open side;

a base wall secured to said blister closing said open side thereof, said base wall having a face surface facing interiorly of said blister,

said base wall further including an opening;

movable closure means within said blister slidably contacting said face surface of said base wall, said closure means in a fully closed position thereof overlying and entirely closing said opening,

a tab connected with said closure means adapted for movement relative to said base wall to slide said closure means over said face surface of said base wall in a forward direction along a predetermined path of travel to progressively expose the opening in the said base wall,

said closure means including,

two edge surfaces generally perpendicular to said face surface of said base Wall extending parallel to said predetermined path of travel of said closure means, said edge surfaces being mutually spaced in a direction perpendicular to said path of travel, and two guide walls integral with said blister generally perpendicular to said face surface of said base wall extending parallel to said predetermined path of travel, said guide walls continuously abutting each of said edge surfaces of said closure means to prevent motion thereof transversely of said opening.

2. A dispensing blister package as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said closure means includes first and second parallel surfaces respectively abutting and remote from said face surface of said base wall,

said blister further including:

abutment walls fixedly connected with said guide walls extending perpendicularly thereto spaced from and generally parallel to said face surface of said base wall, said abutment walls contacting successive portions of said second surface of said closure means during movement thereof, to maintain said closure in abutting contact with said face surface of said base wall.

3. A dispensing blister package as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said tab being secured to said closure means extending forwardly therefrom,

spaced opposed tab edge surfaces on said .tab parallel to said edge surfaces of said closure means,

said blister including,

spaced opposed flanges abutting said tab edge surfaces,

whereby said tab is constrained to move only along the direction of the path of travel of said closure means.

4. A dispensing blister package as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said closure means further includes;

leading edge portions positioned at the forward end of each of said edge surfaces generally perpendicular thereto;

detent means including;

resilient deformable portions of said blister abutting said leading edge portions of said closure means in the fully closed position thereof to initially resist movement of said closure means from said fully closed position.

5. A dispensing blister package as defined in claim 1 further including:

end wall portions of said blister extending generally perpendicularly between the forward end and rear extremities of each said guide walls to limit the movement of said closure means within said blister.

6. A dispensing blister package as defined in claim 3 wherein:

said tab includes first and second surfaces respectively abutting and remote from said face surface of said base wall, and

second abutment means on said blister contacting portions of said second surface of said tab to maintain said tab in abutting contact with said face surface of said base wall.

7. A dispensing blister package as defined in claim 6 wherein:

said closure means is a generally rectangular flat plate.

8. A dispensing blister package comprising:

a rigid, thin-walled, space-enclosing blister having one open side,

a base wall secured to said blister closing said open side thereof, said base wall having a face surface facing interiorly of said blister,

said base wall further including an opening,

movable closure means within said blister slidably contacting said face surface of said base wall, said closure means in a fully closed position thereof overlying and entirely closing said opening,

a tab connected with said closure means adapted for movement relative to said base wall to slide said closure means over said face surface of said base wall in a forward direction along a predetermined path of travel to progressively expose the opening in said base wall, said closure means including,

two edge surfaces generally perpendicular to said face surface of said base wall extending parallel to said predetermined path of travel of said closure means, said edge surfaces being mutually spaced in a direction perpendicular to said path of travel, a first surface abutting said face surface of said base wall, a second surface parallel to said first surface remote from said base wall, leading edge portions positioned at the forward end of each of said edge surfaces generally perpendicular thereto; said blister further including,

two guide walls integral with said blister generally perpendicular to said face surface of said base wall extending parallel to said predetermined path of travel, said guide walls continuously abutting each of said edge surfaces of said closure means to prevent motion thereof transversely of said opening, abutment walls fixedly connected to said guide walls extending perpendicularly thereto spaced from and generally parallel to said base wall,

said abutment walls contacting successive portions of said second surface of said closure means during movement thereof to maintain said closure means in abutting contact with said face surface of said base walls, and

resilient deformable portions of said blister abutting said leading edge portions of said closure means in the fully closed position thereof to initially resist movement of said closure means from said fully closed position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

LOUIS G. MANCENE, Examiner.

GEORGE T. HALL, Assistant Examiner.

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