Package with integral plug

Abstract

A package is disclosed having integral means to seal an opening in a packaged product, such as a capless writing instrument, in order to protect material within the packaged product, such as ink, from excessive exposure to air while stored in the package. The package may be of any type used to contain articles of merchandise, including, without limitation, a blister package, a clamshell package, a closed tube, or a box. A plug portion attached to or molded into the interior of the package is sized and positioned so that it fits sealingly in an opening of a product contained within said package in order to prevent or minimize passage of air through said opening. Also disclosed is a package insert for holding an article of merchandise securely within a package while sealing an opening in the merchandise.

1 . A package for containing an article of merchandise, said package having an interior, an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a plug portion projecting into said interior of said package, wherein said plug portion is sized and positioned to fit sealingly in an opening of said article of merchandise contained within said package.  
   
   
       2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the article of merchandise is a capless writing instrument.  
   
   
       3 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the plug portion is manufactured of an elastomeric material.  
   
   
       4 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein at least part of said package is manufactured of a moldable material and wherein the plug portion is molded into the package itself.  
   
   
       5 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the plug portion is affixed to the interior surface of said package, so that it remains attached thereto after the article of merchandise is removed from said package.  
   
   
       6 . The package of  claim 5 , wherein the plug portion is affixed to the interior surface of the package by means chosen from the group consisting of thermal bonding, adhesive bonding, and mechanical attachment means projecting through a hole in the package.  
   
   
       7 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein said package has perforations near an end opposite the plug portion.  
   
   
       8 . The package of  claim 7 , wherein said package has a printed legend directing a consumer to use the perforations to open said package.  
   
   
       9 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein said package is of a type chosen from the group consisting of a box, a clamshell, and a closed tube.  
   
   
       10 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein said package is a blister package, said blister package comprising: 
 a blister portion defining a preformed cavity surrounded by a flat, flange-like portion; and    a backing card that is bonded to said flange-like portion and supports said blister portion and closes an opening of said preformed cavity.    
   
   
       11 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein the preformed cavity is molded to conform to the shape of the article of merchandise to be contained in said blister package.  
   
   
       12 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein the backing card has perforations defining a tear-away flap behind the preformed cavity.  
   
   
       13 . The package of  claim 12 , wherein said package has a printed legend directing a consumer to use the perforations to open said package.  
   
   
       14 . A plug for sealing an opening in an article of commerce contained in a package, said plug being attached to an interior surface of said package.  
   
   
       15 . The plug of  claim 14 , wherein said plug has a shape chosen from the group consisting of a cone, a dome, and a closed cylinder.  
   
   
       16 . The plug of  claim 14 , wherein said plug is manufactured of an elastomeric material.  
   
   
       17 . The plug of  claim 14 , wherein said plug is attached to the package by means chosen from the group consisting of thermal bonding, adhesive bonding, and mechanical attachment means projecting through a hole in said package.  
   
   
       18 . A blister package for containing an article of merchandise, said blister package comprising: 
 a thermoformed plastic blister portion defining a preformed cavity surrounded by a flat, flange-like portion; and    a backing card that is bonded to said flange-like portion and supports said blister portion and closes an opening of said preformed cavity;    wherein said blister portion includes a plug portion projecting into said preformed cavity, said plug portion being sized and positioned to fit sealingly in an opening of said article of merchandise contained within said blister package; and    wherein said plug portion has a shape chosen from the group consisting of a cone, a dome, and a closed cylinder; and    wherein said preformed cavity is molded to conform to the shape of said article of merchandise to be contained in said blister package; and    wherein said backing card has perforations defining a tear-away flap behind said preformed cavity; and    wherein said backing card has a printed legend directing a consumer to use said perforations to open the blister package.    
   
   
       19 . The blister package of  claim 18 , wherein the plug portion is manufactured of an elastomeric material.  
   
   
       20 . The blister package of  claim 18 , wherein the plug portion is affixed to an interior surface of the preformed cavity by means chosen from the group consisting of thermal bonding, adhesive bonding, and mechanical attachment means projecting through a hole in the blister portion.  
   
   
       21 . The blister package of  claim 18 , wherein the plug portion is formed by an indentation molded into the preformed cavity.  
   
   
       22 . The blister package of  claim 18 , wherein the article of merchandise is a capless writing instrument.  
   
   
       23 . A package insert for holding an article of merchandise securely within a package, wherein said package insert includes a plug portion, said plug portion being sized and positioned to fit sealingly in an opening of said article of merchandise held within said package insert.