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.

1 . A peggable package structure having a partially enclosed interior region housing at least one compartment, said structure comprising: 
 a) a folded strip shaped base member having a planar surface, a first end that defines a first opening through said base member, a second end that defines a second opening through said base member and a midsection located between the first and second ends, wherein said first opening in said base member aligns with said second opening in said base member to provide an unobstructed path through a partially enclosed interior region defined on three sides by said first end, said second end and said midsection; and    b) a first compartment secured to the first end of said base member's planar surface and housed within the partially enclosed interior region.    
   
   
       2 . The package structure of  claim 1 , further including an anti-bowing reinforcing member secured to said base member's planar surface.  
   
   
       3 . The package structure of  claim 2 , wherein said reinforcing member is secured to the planar surface of said base member's first end.  
   
   
       4 . The package structure of  claim 3 , wherein said base member comprises a longitudinal axis and said reinforcing member comprises an elongated rib oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       5 . The package structure of  claim 4 , wherein said reinforcing member extends across the longitudinal midpoint of said first end.  
   
   
       6 . The package structure of  claim 1 , further comprises a second compartment secured to said second end's planar surface.  
   
   
       7 . The package structure of  claim 6 , further comprises a releasable interlocking means for preventing movement of said compartments within said partially enclosed region.  
   
   
       8 . The package structure of  claim 7 , wherein said interlocking means comprises a protrusion on said first compartment and a recess on said second compartment, wherein said protrusion engages said recess, thereby releasably securing one compartment to the other compartment.  
   
   
       9 . The package structure of  claim 1 , wherein said first end abuts said midsection at a first flexible connection and said second end abuts said midsection at a second flexible connection.  
   
   
       10 . The package structure of  claim 9 , wherein said base member comprises a longitudinal axis and said flexible connections are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       11 . The package structure of  claim 9 , wherein said first opening is proximate said first flexible connection and said second opening is proximate said second flexible connection.  
   
   
       12 . The package structure of  claim 1 , said base member comprises a locking means in contact with said first end and said second end.  
   
   
       13 . The package structure of  claim 12 , wherein said locking means defines a fourth side of said partially enclosed interior region.  
   
   
       14 . A process for manufacturing a package structure, comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a strip shaped base member having a planar surface, a first end that defines a first opening through said base member, a second end that defines a second opening through said base member and a midsection located between and separating the first end from the second end;    b) providing a first compartment having an opening;    c) securing the planar surface of said base member's first end over the opening in said compartment; and    d) folding said base member to align said first opening with said second opening to provide an unobstructed path through the partially enclosed interior region defined on three sides by said first end, said second end and said midsection, wherein said region houses said first compartment.    
   
   
       15 . The process of  claim 14 , wherein said first end abuts said midsection at a first axis and said second end abuts said midsection at a second axis, said first axis and said second axis located parallel to each other.  
   
   
       16 . The process of  claim 14 , wherein said base member comprises a longitudinal axis and said base member's two separate axes are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and parallel to each other.  
   
   
       17 . The process of  claim 14 , wherein step b further includes providing a second compartment having an opening and step c further includes securing the planar surface of said base member's second end over the opening in said second compartment.  
   
   
       18 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein said first compartment comprises a protrusion and said second compartment comprises a recess, said process further includes the step of engaging said protrusion with said recess to removably secure the compartments to one another.  
   
   
       19 . The process of  claim 14 , wherein said base member comprises a locking means in contact with an end of said base and said process further includes the step of engaging said locking means to releasably secure said first end to said second end.  
   
   
       20 . The process of  claim 19 , wherein said locking means provides a fourth side to said partially enclosed region.  
   
   
       21 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein said first compartment comprises a first protrusion and said second compartment comprises a second protrusion, said process further includes the step of engaging said first protrusion with said second protrusion to removably secure the compartments to one another.  
   
   
       22 . A merchandiser, comprising: a hangable package structure and a support means from which the package structure is removably suspended, wherein said package structure comprises a folded, strip shaped base member having a planar surface, a first end that defines a first opening through said base member, a second end that defines a second opening through said base member, and a midsection located between and separating the first end from the second end, wherein the first opening in said base member aligns with said second opening in said base member to provide an unobstructed path through a partially enclosed interior region defined on three sides by said first end, said second end and said midsection, said package structure further comprises a first compartment secured to the planar surface of said base member's first end and located within said partially enclosed interior region; and said support means comprises an elongated member simultaneously extending through said package structure's first opening, unobstructed path and second opening, said support means contacting and supporting said first end and said second end thereby suspending said package from said support means.  
   
   
       23 . The merchandiser of  claim 22 , wherein said support means comprises a first proximal end secured to a supporting structure and a second distal end that extends through the package structure.