PRIOR APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of two U.S. Provisional Patent Applications, both of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety: [0002] 1) Application No. 63/257,074, filed on October 18, 2021.

[0003] 2) Application No. 63/330,775, filed on April 14, 2022.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] The present disclosure relates generally to a single-use child-safety blister packaging that may be suitable for securing material that is not appropriate for children’s use.

BACKGROUND

[0005] Designing and implementing child safety packaging as a single use is necessary to comply with certain applicable government regulations, including the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 16, Part 1700.20 for Poison Prevention Packaging.

[0006] In this regard, “Child-resistant packaging” means packaging that is designed and constructed to be significantly difficult for children under 5 years of age to open or obtain a toxic or harmful amount of the substance contained therein within a reasonable time, and that is not difficult for normal adults to use properly.

SUMMARY

[0007] To meet the goal of child-resistant packaging, a blister card with one preformed cavity, having dimensions of approximately 5" x 3" is used. The blister card is constructed of weight 350 g/m ² and/or 16-point solid bleached board (SBS) comprised of polyolefin (PO) layer, a tear resistant layer, and a heat- sealable polymer layer. The blister is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or paper.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed invention and explain various principles and advantages of those embodiments. [0009] Figure 1 shows a blister card.

[0010] Figure 2 shows a blister insert.

[0011] Figures 3A-3I show the process of compressing a paper blister into the blister card.

[0012] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

[0013] The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] I. INTRODUCTION

[0015] A single-use child safety packaging may consist of: [0016] 1. An approximately 350 g/m ² and/or 16-point solid bleached board sulphate (SBS) blister card comprised of a polyolefin (PO) layer, a tear-resistant layer, and a heat-sealable polymer layer; and

[0017] 2. A blister made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Alternatively, the blister may be made of paper. Alternatively, the blister may comprise SBS comprised of a PO layer, a tear-resistant layer, and a heat-sealable polymer layer. The

[0018] Features of this packaging may include:

[0019] - The rigidity of paperboard and the tear-resistance of lamination combines for assembly performance of trap seal blister packaging and provides superior resistance to tear initiation.

[0020] - The heat seal compatibility consistently seals to a wide variety of thermoformed blister materials, including one or more of Amorphous Polyethylene Terephthalate (APET), Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (RPET), Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG), Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (RPETG), PVC and Polyactic Acid (PLA).

[0021] - Low-temperature sealing yields increased line speed, minimized risk of seal product damage and reduced ink degradation.

[0022] - Polymer coat-weight uniformity provides improved efficiencies and maximum throughput on high-speed filling equipment.

[0023] The security of the packaging is further ensured when a heat-activated seal is applied to the SBS during the printing process. When heat is applied to seal the blister within the blister card, this application activates the heat-sealable polymer layer to secure the blister within the packaging.

[0024] The packaging may be used to ensure that cannabis-related products contained therein are child proof, as may be required by law.

[0025] II. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

[0026] Turning to Figure 1, shown is a blister card 100 with a fold line 158. The blister card may be folded over on the fold line 158 such that the blister (not shown) will be secured while a portion of the blister protrudes from blister hole 197. When folded over, the hanging holes 198, 199 overlap, which allows the sealed blister card to be hung at point-of-sale displays.

[0027] The blister card may include the following physical dimensions:

[0028] Length 179 of entire blister card 100: 9.984 in.

[0029] Length 175 of lower portion of blister card 100: 4.984 in.

[0030] Length 185 of upper portion of blister card 100: 5 in.

[0031] Length 130 of blister hole 197: 2.9317 in.

[0032] Length 120 from top of blister card 100 to top of blister hole 197: 1.2348 in.

[0033] Length 160 from bottom of blister hole 197 to fold line 158: 0.8335 in.

[0034] Rounded comers 190: 0.25 ^R .

[0035] Width 110 of top of blister card 100: 3 in.

[0036] Width 150 of blister hole 197: 0.6197 in.

[0037] Width 170 of bottom of blister card 100: 2.968 in.

[0038] The blister card may include the following physical properties:

[0039] - Grain Direction: horizontal.

[0040] - Area: 29.68 in.

[0041] - Board: .020 C2S (coated both sides).

[0042] - Total Rule: 40.518 in

[0043] - Print To Die Cut: +/- .03125 in.

[0044] Turning to Figure 2, shown is a paper blister insert 200 that is designed to be formed and inserted and sealed into the blister card 100. The paper blister insert 200 includes: (a) foldable long flanges 292a, 292b along primary long fold lines 292c, 292d, which then fold again along secondary long fold lines 292e, 292f; and (b) foldable short flanges 291a, 291b along primary short fold lines 291c, 291d, which then fold again along secondary short fold lines 291e, 291f. [0045] The edges 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f of the foldable long flanges 292a, 292b may constructed with an offset angle such that the foldable long flanges 292a, 292b will mesh with the foldable short flanges 291a, 291b when the paper blister insert 200 is assembled. The angle of the edges 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f may be approximately 4°.

[0046] The edges 202a, 202b, 202g, 202h of the foldable short flanges 291a, 291b may constructed with an offset angle such that the foldable short flanges 291a, 291b will mesh with the foldable long flanges 292a, 292b when the paper blister insert 200 is assembled. The angle of the edges 202a, 202b, 202g, 202h may be approximately 4°.

[0047] The paper blister insert 200 may include the following physical dimensions:

[0048] Length 235 of entire paper blister insert 200: 4.437 in.

[0049] Length of 230 of entire paper blister insert 200 without the foldable short flanges 291a, 291b: 2.812 in.

[0050] Width 210 of the entire paper blister insert 200: 2.125 in.

[0051] Width 265 of the entire paper blister insert 200 without the foldable long flanges 292a, 292b: 0.5 in.

[0052] Width 240, 271 of the foldable long flanges 292a, 292b from the edge to the primary long fold lines 292c, 292d: 0.1325 in.

[0053] Width 204, 245 of the foldable short flanges 291a, 291b from the edge to the primary short fold lines 291c, 291 d: 0.1325 in.

[0054] Width 260, 268 of the foldable long flanges 292a, 292b from the primary long fold lines 292c, 292d to the secondary long fold lines 292e, 292f: 0.5 in.

[0055] Width 205, 255 of the foldable short flanges 291a, 291b from the primary short fold lines 291c, 291d to the secondary short fold lines 291e, 291f: 0.5 in.

[0056] The paper blister insert 200 may include the following physical properties: [0057] - Grain Direction: horizontal.

[0058] - Area: 7.31 in.

[0059] - Board: .014 C2S (coated both sides).

[0060] - Blank width: 2.125 in

[0061] - Blank Length: 4.437 in

[0062] - Total Rule: 29.176 in [0063] - Print To Die Cut: +/- .03125 in.

[0064] III. ASSEMBLY

[0065] In the case where the blister is a paper blister insert 200, it is possible to assemble a paper blister insert into a blister card. Figures 3A-3I show an exemplary sequence of such an assembly.

[0066] Figure 3A shows a presser with a presser backside 302A installed on a base 305.

[0067] Figure 3B shows a presser with a presser frontside 302B and a presser puncher 302C removed from the base 305.

[0068] Figure 3C shows the presser receptacle 320 within the base 305 that is visible when the presser is removed.

[0069] Figure 3D shows the inner side 340A of a blister card on the base 305 with its blister hole 355 centered over the pressure receptacle 320 (not shown).

[0070] Figure 3E shows the inner side 340A of a blister card on the base 305 with its blister hole 355 (not shown) centered over the pressure receptacle 320 (not shown). The blister 345 is centered over the blister hole 355 (not shown).

[0071] Figure 3F shows the presser with a presser backside 302A re-installed on the base 305. Using the pressure puncher 302C (not shown), the blister 345 (not shown) is assembled by being pushed through the blister hole 355 (not shown) and into the presser receptacle 320 (not shown).

[0072] Figure 3G shows, with the presser removed, the inner side of the now- assembled blister 350A is inserted into the inner side 340A of the blister card on the base 305.

[0073] Figure 3H shows the outer side of the now-assembled blister 350B as pushed through the outer side 340B of the blister card.

[0074] The material to be protected by the packaging is inserted into the inner side of the now-assembled blister. The blister card is then folded over and both sides of the blister card are secured to each other to secure the blister and the materials contained within the blister. [0075] Figure 31 shows the outer side of the now-assembled and secured blister as pushed through the now-assembled outer side 340B of the blister card.

[0076] The sequence shown is exemplary, and may be altered to be accomplished by hand or mass-produced by a machine process.

[0077] IV. TESTING

[0078] The following embodiment of a one-time use blister pack was subject to a testing to ensure it qualified as child resistant. Since the blister pack is a one-time- use product, durability testing was not performed.

[0079] A blister card with one pre-formed cavity, having dimensions of approximately 5" x 3" was used. The blister card is constructed of 350 g/m ² solid bleached board (SBS) comprised of polyolefin (PO) layer, a tear resistant layer, and a heat-sealable polymer layer. The blister is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or paper.

[0080] The protocols for the evaluation of packaging for poison prevention (CFR Title 16, Part 1700.20) were generally adhered to for this study. Participants were given a package containing an empty vape cartridge. Test Administrators asked all senior adults and children to open the package. Senior adults were provided with scissors.

[0081] In the study, 50 children (42 to 51 months of age) and 100 senior adults (50 to 70 years old, 70% female) were employed. Per testing protocol, children were allowed up to five minutes to open the package in each of two testing periods. A test is considered failed when any child opens the blister pack or gains access to its contents within the time allotted. None of the children were able to open the blister pack during the full ten-minute testing period, a 0% failure rate and a child-resistant effectiveness of 100% for the entire testing period. These results exceed CFR Title 16, Part 1700.20 minimum requirements.

[0082] In contrast, all senior adult participants were successful in opening the blister pack during the time frame allotted. Per testing protocol, to pass the first testing period, participants are allowed up to five minutes to open and reclose the package. To pass the second testing period, participants are allowed one minute to open and reclose the package. Participants who opened and reclosed the package in under one minute in the first testing period were not tested a second time. A senior adult test is considered failed when any adult is unable to open and reclose the package within five minutes during the first test period or is unable to open and reclose the package within one minute during the second test period. The senior adult use effectiveness was calculated at 100%, exceeding CFR Title 16, Part 1700.20 minimum requirements.

[0083] The results of the testing of the blister pack indicate the package fulfills the Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) protocol and standards for Poison Prevention Packaging as required by the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 16, Part 1700.20 in effect in 2021.

[0084] V. CONCLUSION

[0085] In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings. [0086] Moreover, in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has”, “having,” “includes”, “including,” “contains”, “containing” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises ... a”, “has ... a”, “includes ... a”, “contains ... a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms “substantially”, “essentially”, “approximately”, “about” or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The term “coupled” as used herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is “configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

[0087] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.