Recloseable blister package and method of use

Abstract

A reclosable blister package for packaging one or more articles is provided with a blister that is capable of being closed against the face of backing so that the blister and the face of the backing can cooperatively form an article containing cavity. The blister includes a cavity portion, a flange, a hinge and a locking protrusion. The backing may include a panel having a blister slot and an interlocking opening. The blister slot may include a flange insertion portion and a hinge seat. The flange may be fitted through the blister slot and secured to the panel to hold the blister in place. The blister may be movable about the hinge to allow the package to be opened and closed. The locking protrusion may be configured to selectively snap-lock with the interlocking opening in the backing to hold the blister in the closed position.

1 . A reclosable blister package for packaging one or more articles comprising:
 a backing having a panel with first and second major surfaces, said panel defining a blister slot and a panel hang hole having an interlocking opening; and   a blister having a cavity portion and a flange, said flange including a hinge, said flange extending through said blister slot, whereby said cavity portion is disposed on one side of said panel and said flange is disposed on an opposite side of said panel, said blister being selectively movable between an open position and a closed position by pivoting said cavity portion about said hinge, said cavity portion cooperating with said first major surface of said panel to define an article containing space when said blister is in said closed position, said blister including a snap-fit element configured to selectively interlock with said interlocking opening when said blister is in said closed position.   
     
     
         2 . The blister package of  claim 1  wherein said backing includes first and second panels, said first panel including said blister slot, said first panel and said second panel cooperatively defining said panel hang hole having said interlocking opening. 
     
     
         3 . The blister package of  claim 2  wherein said flange is sandwiched between said first panel and said second panel. 
     
     
         4 . The blister package of  claim 3  wherein said snap-fit element includes a reverse draft. 
     
     
         5 . The blister package of  claim 4  wherein said blister includes a plurality of snap-fit elements. 
     
     
         6 . The blister package of  claim 4  wherein said blister includes an extension, said snap-fit elements being defined in said extension. 
     
     
         7 . The blister package of  claim 6  wherein said extension extends upwardly from said cavity portion and defines a blister hang hole. 
     
     
         8 . The blister package of  claim 7  wherein said snap-fit element is located adjacent said blister hang hole. 
     
     
         9 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A reclosable blister package comprising:
 a one-piece plastic blister having a cavity portion and a flange, said flange including a hinge allowing said blister to pivot with respect to said flange, said flange being wider than said hinge, said blister including at least one snap-fit element;   a paperboard backing having first and second panels closed about said flange, said front panel defining a blister slot having a flange insertion portion and a hinge seat, said flange insertion portion being of sufficient width to allow said flange to be fitted through said flange insertion portion, said hinge seat being narrower than said flange insertion portion, said hinge seat being at least as wide as said hinge, said hinge being disposed within said hinge seat, said backing including at least one panel hang hole with an interlocking opening capable of selectively receiving said snap-fit element;   said blister being selectively movable between a closed position in which said cavity portion and said first panel cooperatively define an article containing space and an open position in which said blister is pivoted away from said first panel to provide access to said article containing space, said snap-fit element being configured to be snap-fitted into said interlocking opening when said blister is in said closed position, said snap-fitted engagement retaining said blister in said closed position.   
     
     
         14 . The blister package of  claim 13  wherein said blister includes an extension from said cavity portion, at least one snap-fit element being extended from said extension toward said first panel. 
     
     
         15 . The blister package of  claim 14  wherein said extension defines a blister hang hole. 
     
     
         16 . The blister package of  claim 15  wherein said extension includes at least two snap-fit elements located adjacent to said hang hole. 
     
     
         17 . The blister package of  claim 16  wherein said backing includes a single interlocking opening capable of receiving said at least two snap-fit elements, said interlocking opening configured to align with said blister hang hole when said blister is in said closed position. 
     
     
         18 . The blister package of  claim 15  wherein said interlocking opening is configured to receive said snap-fit element and to align with said blister hang hole when said blister is in said closed position. 
     
     
         19 - 21 . (canceled)