Display Package With Swinging Elements And Method Of Use

Abstract

A blister package is provided including a blister having a pair of moveable article holders that cooperate to retain an article for display. The first article holder extends from the blister and is snap-fit into a snap element when in an article retaining position. The second article holder extends from the blister and engages a stop element when in an article retaining position. Alternatively, the second article holder may be snap-fitted into a second snap element. The snap-fitted engagement of the first article holder secures the article in place within the blister package. A method of packaging an article in a blister package is also provided including the steps of: a) positioning an article between first and second movable article holders; b) snap-fitting the first article holder into an article retaining position that entraps one portion of the article; and c) moving the second article holder into engagement with a stop element or a snap element to assist in holding the second article holder in an article retaining position that entraps a second portion of the article.

1 . A blister package for packaging an article comprising:
 a blister, said blister containing a snap element and a stop element;   a first article holder extending from said blister, said first article holder being selectively moveable into securing engagement with said snap element;   a second article holder extending from said blister;   wherein said first article holder and said second article holder cooperating to retain the article in the package.   
   
   
       2 . The blister package of  claim 1  wherein said blister includes at least one of a second snap element and a stop element; and
 wherein said second article holder is movable into an article retaining position, said second article holder being retained in said article retaining position at least in part by one of an abutting engagement with said stop element and a snap-fitted engagement with said snap element.   
   
   
       3 . The blister package of  claim 2  wherein said first article holder pivots into securing engagement with said snap element and said second article holder pivots into engagement with said stop element. 
   
   
       4 . The blister package of  claim 1  wherein said blister forms a platform recess designed to receive a backer card. 
   
   
       5 . The blister package of  claim 4  further comprising a backer card and wherein said platform recess defines a plurality of tabs. 
   
   
       6 . The blister package of  claim 5  wherein said backer card contains a hanging aperture, said backer card being printed with indicia regarding an article for sale. 
   
   
       7 . The blister package of  claim 1  wherein said first article holder extends from a periphery of said blister. 
   
   
       8 . The blister package of  claim 7  wherein said second article holder extends from an interior portion of said blister. 
   
   
       9 . The blister package of  claim 3  wherein said first article holder and said second article holder each define a receptacle for retaining a portion of said article. 
   
   
       10 . The blister package of  claim 1  wherein said first article holder includes an arm engaging said snap element. 
   
   
       11 . The blister package of  claim 10  wherein said arm has a leading face that is non-planar. 
   
   
       12 . The blister package of  claim 1  wherein said first article holder is provided with a flange along a portion of a periphery of said first article holder, said flange allowing said blister package to stand generally upright on a substantially flat surface when said first article holder is moved into securing engagement with said snap element. 
   
   
       13 . The blister package of  claim 3  wherein said blister defines a draw disposed between said first article holder and said second article holder, said draw seating a portion of said article. 
   
   
       14 . A packaged article comprising:
 an article;   a plastic blister including:
 a snap element; 
 a first article holder integral with and extending from a periphery of said blister, said first article holder being pivoted into securing engagement with said snap element; 
 a second article holder integral with and extending from said blister, said first article holder and said second article holder cooperating to retain the article. 
   
   
   
       15 . The packaged article of  claim 14  wherein said blister includes a second snap element, said second article holder being movable into securing engagement with said second snap element. 
   
   
       16 . The packaged article of  claim 14  wherein said blister includes a stop element, said second article holder being movable into abutting engagement with stop element. 
   
   
       17 . A method for packaging an article in a blister package comprising the steps of:
 forming a plastic blister having a first snap element, a first moveable article holder, and a second moveable article holder, said forming step including forming the blister with at least one of a stop element and a second snap element;   moving the first article holder into engagement with at least one of the stop element or the second snap element;   moving the second article holder into securing engagement with the first snap element;   positioning the article such that it is trapped between the first article holder and the second article holder.   
   
   
       18 . The method for packaging an article in a blister package of  claim 17  wherein the article and the second article holder cooperatively retain the second article holder in abutting engagement with the stop element. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said forming step is further defined as thermoforming the blister from a single piece of stock material, each of the first article holder and the second article holder being joined to a remainder of the blister by a living hinge. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said forming step is further defined as thermoforming a contour in a face of the blister to define the stop element. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein said forming step is further defined as thermoforming a contour in the face of the blister to define the snap element. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said forming step is further defined as thermoforming the blister with the first article holder extending from an interior of the blister and the second article holder extending from a periphery of the blister.