Blister packs are truly an amazing invention. They are extremely versatile, proving useful in a variety of applications, such as the pharmaceutical industry, cosmetic industry, and even the toy manufacturing industry. If your business produces products susceptible to theft or tampering, you should consider packaging them in blister packs. This type of plastic packaging offers several benefits and has a fascinating history. Check out these interesting facts about blister packs to see if this packaging option is right for your business.
Blister Packaging Got Its Start in the 1960s
Blister packs have already been in use for over 60 years. If that isn’t evidence of its success, we don’t know what is. They were first popularly used in the medical industry to deliver medicine to consumers safely and effectively. Specifically, they were used for oral contraceptives because the individual compartments in a single pack made it easy to sort out (and even count) pills. Consumers could keep track of their doses, and pharmacists could save time by meticulously counting fewer pills.
Blister Packs Were Ahead of the Game in Preventing Tampering
In 1982, dozens of Tylenol packages were tampered with inside a Chicago grocery store. This incident resulted in seven deaths and forced consumer goods companies to rethink their packaging. Many responded by placing a thick layer of shrinkwrap around the lid of the bottle, while others added a piece of foil across the opening of the pill container. These tamper-evident practices were designed to make it easy for consumers to tell when the medication had been tampered with with.
Companies that used blister packs didn’t have to panic after this infamous incident. One of the greatest benefits of blister packaging is that it discourages tampering. From its invention, these packs were already ahead of the game.
There Are Different Types of Blister Packages
When people think of blister packs, they often imagine the plastic containers that include cavities and a foil seal — the type of packaging their allergy pills or dog’s flea and tick medication come in. However, these plastic packs can be made with various packaging materials, creating different forms of packaging. Here are the most common types of blister packs used today:
Face-Seal Blister Packs
The most inexpensive blister packaging option is face-seal blister packs. They have a plastic front, and the edges are sealed on top of the paperboard to create the back of the package. The cavity can be customized to fit around the product, whether a single stick of lip balm or an assortment of pens or other inexpensive items.
Full-Face Seal Blister Packaging
Full-face seal blister packs are the same as face-seal blisters; however, the plastic edges are wrapped around the sides of the paperboard and sealed in place on the back of the cardboard. This adds extra security, making it a good idea for slightly more valuable items.
Trapped Blister Packaging
Environmentally-conscious businesses may prefer to use trapped blisters because they require less packaging than the other forms of blister packs. With this type of packaging, the product is encased in plastic, and the plastic is sealed by two pieces of paperboard. Think of the packaging in which memory cards are sealed — that’s trapped blister packaging. It discourages tampering and allows for more design options.
Clamshell Packaging Is Technically a Form of Blister Packaging
While deciding which plastic product packaging you should use, you likely came across an option called clamshell packaging. It may sound very different from blister packaging, but, in reality, clamshell packs are just a form of blister packaging. Clamshell packs can be used for a variety of retail products and even food products. They are extremely tamper-resistant and can come in custom or tri-fold package designs.
Munot Plastics Can Meet All Your Plastic Packaging Needs
Have you been thoroughly intrigued by these blister pack facts? If you feel that this type of plastic packaging could suit your needs, turn to Munot Plastic for wholesale blister packaging. We can make packages in bulk in a timeframe that works for you. We can also produce custom packaging solutions, including thermoformed plastic trays, and even help with your full package design. Reach out to our specialists today to see which plastic blister packs will work best for your business.
