Hang tab reinforcement for blister card packaging structures

Abstract

A packaging structure is disclosed. In accordance with one aspect, the structure includes a blister ( 16 ) including a flange ( 20 ) and a body portion ( 22 ), a front card ( 12 ) defining a blister receiving opening and a first hang tab notch ( 30 ) therein, the blister receiving opening being sized and shaped to receive the body portion therethrough and prevent passage of the flange OC therethrough. The structure also includes a rear card ( 14 ) defining a second hang tab notch ( 36 ) therein; and a hang tab reinforcement card ( 18 ) defining a third hang tab notch ( 42 ) therein, wherein the first, second and third hang tab. notches are generally aligned and the front card is sealed to the rear card to secure the flange and the hang tab reinforcement card therebetween. Various substrates may be used to form the packaging structure. The structure may be provided with internal or external coatings to provide strength, printability, and adhesion between the various parts.

1 . A packaging structure comprising:
 a blister including a flange and a body portion;   a front card defining a blister receiving opening and a first hang tab notch therein, the blister receiving opening being sized and shaped to receive the body portion therethrough and prevent passage of the flange therethrough;   a rear card defining a second hang tab notch therein; and   a hang tab reinforcement card defining a third hang tab notch therein,   wherein the first, second and third hang tab notches are generally aligned and the front card is sealed to the rear card to secure the flange and the hang tab reinforcement card therebetween.   
     
     
         2 . The packaging structure of  claim 1 , wherein the body portion defines a storage chamber for an item. 
     
     
         3 . The packaging structure of  claim 1 , wherein the body portion is shaped as a hemisphere or a rectangular box. 
     
     
         4 . The packaging structure of  claim 1 , wherein the blister is made by thermoforming, stamping or injection molding. 
     
     
         5 . The packaging structure of  claim 1 , wherein the blister is made of a polymeric or cellulosic material. 
     
     
         6 . The packaging structure of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the front card, rear card, and hang tab reinforcement is made of paperboard. 
     
     
         7 . The packaging structure of  claim 1 , wherein one or more or the front card, rear card, and hang tab reinforcement is coated with or comprises at least one layer of a printable coating, a polymeric coating, or a tear resistant layer. 
     
     
         8 . The packaging structure of  claim 1 , wherein the front card and rear card are formed as separate pieces. 
     
     
         9 . The packaging structure of  claim 1 , wherein the front card and rear card are formed from a single continuous piece of material. 
     
     
         10 . The packaging structure of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the front card, rear card, and hang tab reinforcement is formed from a paperboard substrate comprising solid bleached sulfate (SBS), folding boxboard, or recycled board. 
     
     
         11 . The packaging structure of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the front card, rear card, and hang tab reinforcement is formed from a bleached or unbleached material. 
     
     
         12 . The packaging structure of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the front card, rear card, and hang tab reinforcement has a thickness of about 10 to about 30 points. 
     
     
         13 . The packaging structure of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the front card and rear card comprises an inner surface coated with a sealing material. 
     
     
         14 . The packaging structure of  claim 13 , wherein the sealing material is an adhesive. 
     
     
         15 . The packaging structure of  claim 13 , wherein the sealing material is a pressure sensitive or curable adhesive. 
     
     
         16 . The packaging structure of  claim 13 , wherein the sealing material is a heat sealable material. 
     
     
         17 . The packaging structure of  claim 13 , wherein the sealing material is comprises at least one of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), ethylene methyl acrylate (EMA), EVA, EMA, low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, ethylene acrylic acid, ethylene methacrylate, ethylene ethyl acrylate and ethylene n-butyl acrylate, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The packaging structure of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the front card, rear card, and hang tab reinforcement comprises a tear resistant layer or material. 
     
     
         19 . The packaging structure of  claim 18 , wherein the tear resistant layer or material comprises an oriented film layer or a biaxially oriented polyester film. 
     
     
         20 . The packaging structure of  claim 1 , wherein the hang tab reinforcement has a shape or profile that closely resembles at least a portion of the shape or profile of the front and or rear card. 
     
     
         21 . The packaging structure of  claim 1 , wherein the hang tab reinforcement comprises a tear resistant material. 
     
     
         22 . The packaging structure of  claim 1 , wherein the hang tab reinforcement comprises cellulosic material, a polymeric material, a metallic material, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         23 . The packaging structure of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the top and bottom surfaces of the hang tab reinforcement is coated with a sealing material. 
     
     
         24 . The packaging structure of  claim 1 , wherein sealing of the front card, rear card, and hang tab reinforcement is accomplished through the application of heat, radio frequency energy, ultrasonic energy, microwave energy and/or mechanical pressure. 
     
     
         25 . The packaging structure of  claim 1 , wherein the blister and hang tab reinforcement are formed as a single piece of material.