Printed plastic packaging

Abstract

A premium plastic package is provided as well as a method for producing such a package. Printing on multiple surfaces of a package to obtain appealing visual effects is described. Methods of sealing plastic packages are described, including some that use ultraviolet light to activate an adhesive. Plastic materials that can be used include recycled and/or recyclable polyurethane.

1 . An enclosure to deter theft of a product in the enclosure comprising: 
 a first plastic portion having first and second surfaces, said first plastic portion having printing upon at least one of said first and second surfaces;    a second plastic portion having third and fourth surfaces, said second plastic portion having printing upon at least one of said third and fourth surfaces; and    wherein said first and second plastic portions are secured to enclose a product.    
   
   
       2 . The theft-deterrent enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein first and second plastic portions are secured using ultraviolet light to activate an adhesive.  
   
   
       3 . The theft-deterrent plastic enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the plastic clamshell package is formed from recycled polyurethane.  
   
   
       4 . The theft-deterrent plastic enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the plastic portions are clear.  
   
   
       5 . The theft-deterrent plastic enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein at least three of the plastic surfaces have printing.  
   
   
       6 . A theft-deterrent plastic enclosure for a product comprising: 
 a front plastic portion and a back plastic portion;    at least two inner surfaces, at least one of which is printed;    at least two outer surfaces, at least one of which is printed;    wherein the plastic portions are formed from recycled material.    
   
   
       7 . The theft-deterrent plastic enclosure of  claim 6 , wherein said front and back plastic portions are sealed together using ultraviolet light to activate an adhesive.  
   
   
       8 . The theft-deterrent plastic enclosure of  claim 6 , wherein the recycled material is recycled polyurethane.  
   
   
       9 . The theft-deterrent plastic enclosure of  claim 6 , wherein the plastic portions are clear.  
   
   
       10 . The theft-deterrent plastic enclosure as in  claim 6 , wherein the at least two printed surfaces comprise opposite sides of the same plastic portion.  
   
   
       11 . The theft-deterrent plastic enclosure of  claim 6 , wherein the plastic enclosure is a clamshell.  
   
   
       12 . A method of forming a theft-deterrent plastic clamshell package for a product, comprising: 
 extruding a plastic material into a plastic sheet;    printing on one surface of the plastic sheet;    printing on the other surface of the plastic sheet;    forming the plastic sheet into a package;    placing a product into the package; and    closing said package.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the closing step comprises sealing the package using ultraviolet light to activate an adhesive.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the plastic material is recycled polyurethane.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the plastic material is clear.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the steps of forming, placing, and closing are performed in the same machine, fully automatically.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of closing the package further comprises die cutting the package to separate the package.  
   
   
       18 . A theft-deterrent printed plastic package for a product comprising: 
 a first plastic portion having first and second surfaces, said first portion having printing upon at least one of said first and second surfaces;    a second plastic portion having third and fourth surfaces, said second portion having printing upon at least one of said third and fourth surfaces, said second portion secured to said first portion at multiple seal points around the product;    said package is at least 13 inches long in a first dimension.    
   
   
       19 . The package of  claim 18 , wherein said first and second plastic portions are formed from at least thirty-gauge plastic.  
   
   
       20 . The package of  claim 18 , wherein said first and second plastic portions are formed from plastic having a minimum caliper of 16 mil.  
   
   
       21 . The package of  claim 18 , wherein said plastic portions are formed from recycled polyurethane.  
   
   
       22 . The package of  claim 19 , wherein said first and second plastic portions are secured using ultraviolet light to activate an adhesive.  
   
   
       23 . The package of  claim 18 , wherein said first and second portions are secured at two seal points around the product.  
   
   
       24 . The package of  claim 18 , wherein said package is at least 15 inches long in a second dimension.