Printed packaging

Abstract

High visual impact plastic packaging is described as well as methods for producing such packaging. Sealing portions of a package to each other in an interwoven manner is described. 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 heat sealing techniques. Plasticized or laminated paperboard materials can be used, as well as plastic materials such as mineral-based materials, polylactic acid, and recycled and/or recyclable polyurethane.

1 . A method of manufacturing a package, the method comprising:
 providing a first substantially flat portion having an opening;   providing a blister portion having a protruding blister and a substantially flat flange with at least one hole;   providing a second substantially flat portion;   extending the protruding blister through the opening of the first substantially flat portion; and   sealing the second substantially flat portion to the first substantially flat portion through the at least one hole.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing a first substantially flat portion having an opening and providing a second substantially flat portion further comprise providing first and second substantially flat portions that both extend beyond the substantially flat flange in at least one dimension, the method further comprising:
 sealing the second substantially flat portion to the first substantially flat portion at the portions that extend beyond the substantially flat flange.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein sealing the second substantially flat portion to the first substantially flat portion at the portions that extend beyond the substantially flat flange further comprises creating a seal that extends substantially around the periphery of the first and second substantially flat portions. 
   
   
       4 . A method of interweaving portions of a blister package through sealing, the method comprising:
 providing a front package portion;   providing a back package portion;   providing a blister package portion having a hole;   sealing the back package portion directly to the blister package portion; and   sealing the back package portion directly to the front package portion through the hole in the blister package portion.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 providing a pattern of one or more holes in the blister package; and   sealing the back package portion directly to the front package portion through the pattern of one or more holes.   
   
   
       6 . A printed package comprising:
 a first flat portion having printing thereon and a plurality of regions of increased stiffness;   a second flat portion having printing thereon and an opening therein;   a central portion with a peripheral region positioned between the first and second flat portions and a cavity portion protruding from the opening; and   the first flat portion and the second flat portion being secured together to secure the peripheral region of the central portion in place.   
   
   
       7 . The package of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the first and second flat portions is composed of a mineral-based material. 
   
   
       8 . The package of  claim 7 , wherein the mineral-based material comprises limestone. 
   
   
       9 . The package of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the first and second flat portions is composed of a polylactic acid. 
   
   
       10 . The package of  claim 6 , wherein the central portion has a plurality of holes. 
   
   
       11 . The package of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second flat portions are secured by contact made between the first and second flat portions through at least one of the plurality of holes. 
   
   
       12 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second flat portions are secured through the use of an adhesive. 
   
   
       13 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second flat portions are secured through heat-sealing. 
   
   
       14 . The package of  claim 9 , wherein the holes are regularly spaced around the periphery. 
   
   
       15 . The package of  claim 6 , wherein the regions of increased stiffness comprise compacted portions of the first flat portion. 
   
   
       16 . The package of  claim 14 , wherein the regions of increased stiffness have an irregular geometric shape. 
   
   
       17 . The package of  claim 14 , wherein the regions of increased stiffness have a quadrilateral shape. 
   
   
       18 . The package or  claim 14 , wherein the regions of increased stiffness have a longer dimension in a first direction than in a second direction, where the second direction is transverse to the first direction. 
   
   
       19 . A printed package comprising:
 a first portion formed from polylactic acid having printing thereon;   a second portion having printing thereon and an opening therein; and   a central portion with a peripheral region positioned between the first and second portions and a cavity portion protruding from the opening;   wherein the first portion and the second portion are secured together to secure the peripheral region of the central portion in place.   
   
   
       20 . The package of  claim 19 , wherein the second portion is also formed from polylactic acid. 
   
   
       21 . The package of  claim 19 , wherein the second portion is formed from a mineral-based material. 
   
   
       22 . The package of  claim 19 , wherein the central portion is formed from polylactic acid. 
   
   
       23 . The package of  claim 19 , wherein the central portion comprises preformed rigid or semi-rigid plastic. 
   
   
       24 . The package of  claim 19 , wherein the central portion is transparent. 
   
   
       25 . The package of  claim 19 , wherein the first portion is larger than the second portion. 
   
   
       26 . The package of  claim 25 , wherein the first portion comprises a separable portion. 
   
   
       27 . The package of  claim 19 , wherein the second portion is larger than the first portion. 
   
   
       28 . The package of  claim 27 , wherein the second portion is at least partially transparent plastic and has at least partially translucent printing thereon. 
   
   
       29 . The package of  claim 19 , further comprising a heat-activated adhesive layer that is approximately coextensive with the surface area of the second flat portion. 
   
   
       30 . The package of  claim 19 , wherein the second portion is at least partially transparent plastic and has printing configured to obscure underlying adhesive. 
   
   
       31 . The package of  claim 31 , wherein the first and second flat portions have four surfaces with printing on at least two of those surfaces. 
   
   
       32 . The package of  claim 31 , wherein printing on at least two surfaces comprises multiple overlying patterns, where underlying patterns are at least partially visible through overlying layers. 
   
   
       33 . The package of  claim 32 , wherein the printing comprises inks of multiple colors. 
   
   
       34 . The package of  claim 32 , wherein the printing comprises iridescent materials. 
   
   
       35 . A printed package comprising:
 a first portion formed from a mineral-based material having printing thereon;   a second portion having printing thereon and an opening therein; and   a central portion with a peripheral region positioned between the first and second portions and a cavity portion protruding from the opening;   the first portion and the second portion being secured together to secure the peripheral region of the central portion in place.   
   
   
       36 . The package of  claim 35 , wherein the second portion is also formed from a mineral-based material. 
   
   
       37 . The package of  claim 36 , wherein the mineral is limestone. 
   
   
       38 . The package of  claim 35 , wherein the second portion is formed from polylactic acid. 
   
   
       39 . The package of  claim 35 , wherein the central portion is formed from polylactic acid.