Blister pack

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Blister pack is a term for two distinct types of non-reclosable clear plastic packaging used for consumer goods.

1 Blister packs for tampering-prone goods
2 Blister packs for general consumer goods
3 Techniques used to open blister packs
4 Notes
5 References

[edit] Blister packs for tampering-prone goods

One type of blister packs is commonly used for sale goods where product tampering is a consideration, such as pharmaceuticals. Blister packs comprise a moulded PVC base, with raised areas (the "blisters") to contain the tablets, covered by a foil laminate. Tablets are removed from the pack either by peeling the foil back or by pushing the blister to force the tablet to break the foil. One specialized form of a blister pack is a strip pack.

In the United Kingdom, blister packs must adhere to British Standard 8404.

[edit] Blister packs for general consumer goods

Another type of blister pack consists of packaging where goods such as toys and electrical items are contained in between a specially made paper (blister board) and clear PVC plastic. The PVC, transparent so the item can be seen and examined easily, is vacuum-formed around a mold so it can contain the item snugly, and have room to be opened upon purchase. The card is brightly coloured and designed depending on the item inside, and the PVC is affixed to the card using heat and pressure to activate an adhesive that coats the blister card. The adhesive is strong enough so that the pack may hang on a peg, but weak enough so that this way one can tear open the joint and access the item. Sometimes with large items the card has a perforated window for access.

A more secure package called a clamshell for theft-prone items like consumer electronics omit the card backing and consist of two vacuum-formed PVC sheets meshed together at the edges, with the informative card inside. These can be very hard to open by hand, so a pair of scissors or even a sharp knife is often required to open them. Opening such packages without proper care is an injury-prone procedure, and surgeons report that serious hand injuries (including tendon and nerve damage) regularly occur because of this packaging.^[1]

[edit] Techniques used to open blister packs

Puncturing the packaging along the edges of the seal with a retractable knife with a sharp tip, for example a utility knife, then opening along the seam is generally quite effective, when the plastic is not too thick. Thicker plastics may require scissors, again, cutting along the seam where the two halves meet (or trimming away the sections where the plastics have been heat-fused together) will often be sufficient.

Attempting to 'tear' blister packaging by hand is ill-advised, as the plastic is often quite sharp.