Blister packaging is popular with manufacturers as it is highly visible, reduces packaging costs, and prevents shoplifting. Single-dose strips of pharmaceutical products are the most user-friendly, while clamshell packaging is the most loathed and can cause injuries. The Open X® device was created to safely open clamshell blister packs but is only sold in a clamshell package.
Generally you know you have purchased a product enclosed in a blister pack when you are unable to open your purchase without the use of very heavy scissors or a very sharp knife. While this packaging may be consumers’ bane, it has become a firm favorite with manufacturers. It allows a product to be highly visible, leading to more outlets of purchase and also reduces packaging costs.
As another benefit, blister packaging reduces store losses due to shoplifting. It prevents small items, often consumer electronics, from being opened and slipped into pockets by those trying to cheat stores via a “five finger discount”. For both retailers and manufacturers, any method that reduces theft is good for bottom line bottom line.
There are several varieties of blister packs, but they all work under the same premise. The product is encased in a hard plastic cavity and sealed, usually via an assembly line heating process. The blisters can be very small or very large, depending on the product in question, and their uses are seemingly endless.
One of the most widespread forms of blister packaging, and also the most user-friendly, is found in single-dose strips of both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription pharmaceutical products. The packaging not only provides protection to the medicines themselves, but can be helpful for the consumer in making sure they have taken the correct dosage. These blisters open quite easily and don’t require excessive ripping, tearing, cutting, or cursing.
This is not the case with many blister packed consumer products and the most loathed form of packaging is referred to as the clamshell. One will often find clamshell packaging enclosing products such as small electronic products, children’s action figures, and tools. A very hard plastic shell forms around a mold of the item to be sold. On the back of the shell, a brilliant product sheet is encased in a tight-fitting plastic case. The shell is then heated and an extremely strong adhesive bonds the two sides into a nearly impregnable package.
It is estimated that over 5,000 people are injured each year trying to open blister packs of the clamshell variety. In response to this fact, a device known to Open X® was created. This product is designed to safely and efficiently open clamshell blister packs and reduce injury. However, there’s just one problem with this otherwise good idea. The Open X® is only displayed and sold in a clamshell blister.
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