AU2020250745B2

AU2020250745B2 - Blister-card retail and storage packaging for button cells

Info

Publication number: AU2020250745B2
Application number: AU2020250745A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Philipp RENSCHLER; Bernd Schweinstetter; Klaus SCHÖBEL
Original assignee: VARTA Microbattery GmbH
Current assignee: VARTA Microbattery GmbH
Priority date: 2019-04-01
Filing date: 2020-03-09
Publication date: 2025-07-03
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-09
Also published as: MX2021011919A; BR112021017290A2; CN113614003A; KR20220004064A; AU2020250745A1; EP3944738A1; US20220185566A1; EP3944738C0; CA3133197A1; JP2022526712A; DE202019101861U1; WO2020200662A1; JP7500596B2; EP3944738B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a blister-card retail and storage packaging (100) item comprising a substrate (101) and a moulded plastic part (102) having a planar base (104) in which a recess (105; 106) is made by means of deep drawing. The moulded plastics part (102) is fixed by means of its planar base (104) on the substrate (101) such that the recess (105; 106), together with the substrate (101), forms a closed receptacle (108; 109) for a cylindrical button cell (110; 111). The receptacle (108; 109) comprises a central space (112: 113) having a circular cylindrical basic shape, in which the button cell (110; 111) is placed, and a side space (112: 113) which is preferably formed as a bulge from the central space (112: 113) and is designed such that it cannot be filled by the button cell (110; 111).

Description

WO 2020/200662 A1 Veröffentlicht: mit internationalem Recherchenbericht (Artikel 21 Absatz

- 3)

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Blister-card retail and Blister-card retail storagepackaging and storage packagingforfor button button cells cells

Technical Field Technical Field

Thesubject The subjectmatter matter of the of the invention invention described described below below is is a and a retail retail and pack storage storage pack of the of the blister blister card card type. type. 2020250745

Background Background

Thegreat The greatdemand demand for button for button cellscells inevitably inevitably also also makes makes the packaging the packaging of this mass-produced of this mass-produced article article an important factor. an important factor. Said Said packaging packaging must, on the must, on the one one hand, hand, be be economical, economical,but butmust, must,ononthe theother other hand, alsohave hand, also haveanan appealing appealing appearance appearance in order in order to encourage to encourage interest interest in Retail in buying. buying.andRetail and storage storage

packs ofthe packs of theblister blister card cardtype typeare areparticularly particularlywidespread. widespread.

EP 259574A2A2 EP 259574 discloses discloses an an example example of a of a retail retail and and storage storage pack pack of theof the blister blister cardfor card type type for button button cells, cells,

in in the the case case of of which which the the packaging is formed packaging is onthe formed on the one onehand handbybya atear-resistant, tear-resistant, advantageously advantageously transparent film transparent film made of PVC made of PVCor or polyvinylidene polyvinylidene chloride chloride with with cup-shaped embossingstotoaccommo- cup-shaped embossings accommo- date thebutton date the button cells,and cells, andon on thethe other other handhand by a by a closure closure filmofmade film made of aluminum aluminum thatonto that is sealed is sealed onto this in this in aa smooth-surface manner. smooth-surface manner. To remove To remove a button a button cell, cell, the the latter latter needs needs only toonly to be from be pushed pushed the from the outside through outside through the the easily easily tearable tearable aluminum aluminum film. film.

However, thisprocess However, this process cancan be carried be carried out very out very easily, easily, possibly possibly even even by by achild. a small small In child. Intoorder order mini-to mini-

mize therisk mize the riskthat thataasmall smallchild childmight might unintentionally unintentionally remove remove a button a button cell cell and and swallow swallow it, it isit, it is neces- neces-

sary to propose sary to propose a new a new retail retail and and storage storage pack pack for for button button cells cells for for button button cellsensures cells which whichbetter ensures better safety andinin particular safety and particularprevents preventsthethe accidental accidental removal removal of a of a button button cell cell by a by a child. child.

Summary Summary

Theinvention The inventionisisrelated relatedto to the the retailandand retail storage storage packpack ofblister of the the blister card card type having type having the features the features of of claim 1. Subclaims claim 1. provide Subclaims provide developments developments of theof the invention. invention.

The retail and The retail andstorage storagepack pack according according to invention to the the invention from from the is the is distinguished distinguished by the following by the following fea- fea- tures: tures:

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a. a. it itcomprises comprises aacarrier, carrier, and and

b. b. it itcomprises comprises aa plastics plasticsmolded molded part part with with aa planar planar base base surface surface into intowhich which aa depression depression has has

been introduced by been introduced by means meansofof thermoforming, thermoforming,and and

c. C. the planar the planarbase base surface surface of the of the plastics plastics molded molded part part is is fixed fixed on theon the carrier, carrier, such such that thethat de- the de- pression, togetherwith pression, together with thethe carrier, carrier, forms forms a closed a closed receptacle receptacle for a for a cylindrical cylindrical button button cell, the cell, the 2020250745

button cell being button cell beingaalithium lithiumion ionbutton button cell; cell;

d. d. the receptacle- –andand the receptacle thus thus alsoalso the recess the recess – comprises - comprises a central a central space of space of circular-cylindrical circular-cylindrical

basic shapeinto basic shape intowhich whichthethe button button cellcell is is inserted, inserted,

e. e. the the receptacle receptacle –- and and thus thus also also the the recess recess–-comprises comprises aa side sidespace space which which is isadvantageously advantageously

configured configured asasa abulge bulgeofof the the central central space space and and which which is configured is configured in asuch in such a way way that it that it cannot cannot

be filledbybythe be filled the button button cell;cell;

f. f. the carrier comprises the carrier comprises at at least least oneone reinforcement reinforcement film is film which which is connected connected to the to the planar planar base base

surface of the surface of the plastics plastics molded molded part part andand which which delimits delimits the closed the closed receptacle; receptacle; and and

g. g. at at least least one scissor-cutmarking, one scissor-cut marking, which which leads leads through through thespace the side side or space or the the side side spaces, spaces, is lo- is lo- cated onthe cated on thecarrier. carrier.

Thecarrier The carrier is is usually usually aa cardboard cardboard blank. blank. However, However, the carrier the carrier couldcould also readily also readily be composed be composed of other of other materials, for example materials, for example ofplastic, of a a plastic, or comprise or comprise such materials. such materials. At leastAtone least sideone sidecardboard of the of the cardboard blank maybebe blank may printed printed in in color color andand serves serves as aas a support support surface surface forplastics for the the plastics molded molded part. part.

The plastics The plastics molded part can molded part can essentially essentially be be composed composed ofofany anythermoformable thermoformable plastic.InInpreferred plastic. preferred embodiments, it is embodiments, it is composed composed of a transparent of a transparent plastic. plastic. It is particularly It is particularly advantageously advantageously composed composed of of polyvinyl chloride(PVC), polyvinyl chloride (PVC),for forexample. example.

The planar The planar base base surface surface of of the the plastics plasticsmolded molded part part is isadvantageously advantageously laminated and/or adhesively laminated and/or adhesively bonded onto bonded onto thethe carrier, carrier, in in particular particular the the support support surface surface which which is printed is printed in color. in color.

Thedepression The depression advantageously advantageously has a has a planar planar base base and and a circumferential a circumferential wall whichwall whichthe connects connects base the base to to the planarbase the planar basesurface. surface.InInthe theregion regionof of the the central central space, space, thethe base base is advantageously is advantageously oriented oriented par- par- allel allel to to the the planar basesurface planar base surface andand thusthus alsoalso parallel parallel to carrier. to the the carrier. The distance The distance betweenbetween the base the base

and thecarrier and the carrierdefines definesthe theheight heightofofthe thecentral centralspace. space.

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Thecentral The centralspace spaceis is adapted adapted to shape to the the shape and and the the dimension dimension of the cylindrical of the cylindrical button cellbutton cell inserted inserted therein. Saidcentral therein. Said centralspace space advantageously advantageously has a has a diameter diameter which the which exceeds exceeds theofdiameter diameter of the button the button

cell cell by by a a factor factor of of 1.05 1.05 to to 1.3. 1.3. In In further further preferred embodiments, preferred embodiments, the central the central spacespace has a has a height height which which

exceeds theheight exceeds the heightofof thebutton the button cell cell by by a factor a factor of of 1.01 1.01 toto 1.2. 1.2.

Withoutthe Without theside side space, space, which which is advantageously is advantageously configured configured asofa bulge as a bulge of the the central central space, the space, de- the de- 2020250745

pression andthus pression and thus also also thethe receptacle receptacle would would be of be of strictly strictly circular-cylindrical circular-cylindrical configuration. configuration. The pres- The pres-

ence ofthe ence of theside sidespace space ensures ensures a deviation a deviation from from a strictly a strictly circular-cylindrical circular-cylindrical geometry. geometry. According According to to the invention,the the invention, theshape shapeof of the the side side space space is not is not significant, significant, so so thethe bulge bulge can can for example for example be curved be curved in in aa round manner round manner or else or else havehave a corner a corner or several or several corners. corners. It is important It is important merely merely that thethat side the side space is space is

configured configured ininsuch such a way a way thatthat it cannot it cannot be filled be filled bybutton by the the button cell.this cell. For Forpurpose, this purpose, the sidethe side space space

must comprise must comprise at at least least oneone subregion subregion into into whichwhich the button the button cell,ifeven cell, even if it should it should have limited have limited mobili- mobili-

ty within ty the recess, within the recess, cannot cannotpenetrate, penetrate,at at least least notnot without without destroying destroying or deforming or deforming the recess. the recess.

This has This hasthe theadvantage advantage that that the the recess recess in which in which the cell the head headiscell is located located can becan be opened opened by means by of ameans of a scissor cut through scissor cut throughthethe side side space, space, without without touching touching the button the button cell.isThis cell. This is important important insofar insofar as the as the retail retail and storagepack and storage packof of thethe blister blister card card type type according according to thetoinvention the invention is advantageously is advantageously config- config- ured in such ured in suchaaway waythat thatititcannot cannotbe be opened opened without without tools,tools, in order in order to prevent to prevent accidental accidental opening opening by a by a small child. small child.

Theside The sidespace spaceparticularly particularly advantageously advantageously has ahas a smaller smaller heightheight than than the the central central space, space, in in particular particular a a smaller heightthan smaller height than the the button button cellcell located located in the in the central central space. space. Thismake This can canthe make the scissor scissor cut easier. cut easier.

In In addition, this is addition, this is the simplestway the simplest way to to effectively effectively prevent prevent the button the button cell penetrating cell from from penetrating into the into the

side side space. space.

Theretail The retail and storagepack and storage pack according according to the to the invention invention is particularly is particularly advantageously advantageously distinguished distinguished by by at at least least one of the one of the additional featuresa.a.and additional features andb.b.directly directlybelow: below:

a. a. it it comprises more comprises more than than the receptacle the one one receptacle for a cylindrical for a cylindrical button button cell, in cell, in particular particular two to two to eight of these eight of receptacles. these receptacles.

b. b. the receptacles the receptacles are are arranged separately from arranged separately one another from one anotherononthe thecarrier carrier and and are are separated separated fromone from oneanother another by regions by regions on theon the carrier carrier in the in which which thebase planar planar base surface of surface of the the plastics plastics

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molded part molded part is is firmly firmly connected connected tocarrier, to the the carrier, in particular in particular by adhesive by adhesive bonding bonding and/or by and/or by

welding. welding.

Thefeatures The featuresa.a.and andb.b.directly directlyabove aboveareare advantageously advantageously implemented implemented in combination in combination with with one other. one other. By implementing By implementing bothboth features, features, it canit be can be ensured ensured that in that in the the case of acase of a plurality plurality of receptacles, of receptacles, the the receptacles canstill receptacles can still be be opened opened only only individually. individually. 2020250745

2020250745

Theretail The retail and andstorage storage pack pack is particularly is particularly advantageously advantageously distinguished distinguished by the following by the following additional additional

feature: feature:

a. a. at at least least one scissor-cutmarking, one scissor-cut marking, which which leads leads through through thespace the side side or space or the the side side spaces, spaces, is lo- is lo- cated onthe cated on thecarrier. carrier.

Thescissor-cut The scissor-cutmarking marking enables enables precise precise opening opening of individual of individual receptacles receptacles of the of the retail and retail and storage storage pack according pack according to to the the invention. invention.

In In a a further preferredembodiment, further preferred embodiment, the retail the retail and storage and storage pack according pack according to the is to the invention invention distin- is distin-

guished byatatleast guished by leastone oneofofthe theadditional additional features features a. a. to to C.c. directlybelow: directly below:

a. a. the retail the retail and storagepack and storage packcomprises comprises at least at least oneone reinforcement reinforcement film. film.

b. b. the reinforcement the reinforcement film film is is connected connected to the to the planar planar base base surface surface of theofplastics the plastics molded molded part. part.

c. C. the reinforcement the reinforcement film film delimits delimits thethe closed closed receptacle. receptacle.

The featuresa.a.totoC. The features c. directly directly above areadvantageously above are advantageously implemented implemented in combination in combination with one other. with one other.

Thereinforcement The reinforcement film film is is forforexample example a film a film mademade of polyethylene of polyethylene terephthalate, terephthalate, made of made of a polyolefin a polyolefin

or or a a PVC film. The PVC film. film advantageously The film advantageously has has a thickness a thickness in range in the the range from from 5 μm 5 µm to to 50 μm. 50 µm.

Thereinforcement The reinforcementfilmfilm makes makes it possible it possible to design to design the carrier the carrier in a tear-resistant in a tear-resistant manner. manner. Since the Since the plastics plastics molded part molded part is is alsousually also usually configured configured totear-resistant, to be be tear-resistant, it can it can thus thus be ensured be ensured that open- that open-

ing ing of of the packwithout the pack without tools tools cancan be be ruled ruled out.out. In particular, In particular, the the reinforcement reinforcement film it film makes makes it possible possible

to to prevent prevent aasmall smallchild childfrom from being being able able to push to push a button a button cell contained cell contained in the in the receptacle receptacle through through the the carrier carrier and thusremove and thus removeit.it.

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Thecarrier The carrierparticularly particularlyadvantageously advantageously comprises comprises a cardboard a cardboard blank blank which which iswith is covered covered with the rein- the rein- forcement film forcement film in in a full-area a full-area manner manner or else or else only only in certain in certain regions. regions. The reinforcement The reinforcement film may be film may be

applied onlytotothat applied only that side side of of thethe cardboard cardboard blank blank whichasserves which serves as asurface a support supportforsurface for the plastics the plastics

molded part.However, molded part. However, saidsaid reinforcement reinforcement filmadditionally film may may additionally or alternatively or alternatively also be also be applied applied to the to the back of the back of thecardboard cardboard blank blank and/or and/or shield shield the edges the edges of theofcardboard the cardboard blank. blank. 2020250745

In In the regioninin which the region whichthethe planar planar base base surface surface ofplastics of the the plastics molded molded part is part fixedison fixed on the carrier, the carrier, the the carrier is particularly carrier is particularly advantageously advantageouslyfree free of perforations, of perforations, folds folds or structural or other other structural elements elements that that could mechanically could mechanically weaken weaken it. it.

Thebutton The buttoncell cellcontained containedin in thethe receptacle receptacle is advantageously is advantageously a lithium a lithium buttonbutton cell. Button cell. Button cells cells of thisof this type posea arelatively type pose relativelyhigh highrisk riskin in the the case caseofof swallowing. swallowing.

Brief Brief Description Description of ofDrawings Drawings

Further advantages Further advantages andand aspects aspects ofinvention of the the invention emergeemerge from thefrom the claims claims for for protection, protection, from the fol- from the fol-

lowing description lowing description of of a particularly a particularly preferred preferred embodiment embodiment of the invention of the invention and on theand onofthe basis the basis of the

drawing. drawing.

Detailed Detailed Description Description

Fig. Fig. 1 1 schematically shows schematically shows one one embodiment embodiment of aand of a retail retail and pack storage storage pack of the of the blister blister card card type ac- type ac-

cording tothe cording to theinvention invention (plan (plan viewview perpendicularly perpendicularly from for from above) above) for twobutton two lithium lithium button cells. Othercells. Other

embodiments of the embodiments of the retail retail and and storage storage pack pack can can contain contain more more than than two two button button cells cells or else onlyor else only one one

button cell. button cell.

Theillustrated The illustratedretail retail and storagepack and storage pack100100 comprises comprises a rectangular a rectangular cardboard-based cardboard-based carrier carrier 101 and a101 and a transparentplastics transparent plasticsmolded molded partpart 102 made 102 made of PVC.of A PVC. A suspension suspension eye 103 iseye 103 is punched punched into into the carrier the carrier 101. 101. The The plastics plasticsmolded part 102 molded part 102 comprises comprises aa planar planar base base surface surface 104 104 into into which twodepressions which two depressions 105 105 and 106 have and 106 have been beenintroduced introducedbybymeans meansof of thermoforming. thermoforming. Since Since thethe planar planar base base surface104 surface 104 isis

glued onto the glued onto the carrier carrier 101, 101,the thedepressions depressions105 105and and 106 106 extend extend perpendicularly perpendicularly upward towardthe upward toward the viewerininthe viewer theillustration. illustration.

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In In order to design order to designthethe carrier carrier 101 101 in in a tear-resistant a tear-resistant manner, manner, thatofpart that part the of the carrier carrier 101iswhich 101 which in is in contact withthe contact with theplanar planar base base surface surface 104reinforced 104 is is reinforced with with the the reinforcement reinforcement film 107 film made 107 made of PVC. of PVC.

Thereinforced The reinforcedcarrier carrier101, 101,together together with with the the depressions depressions 105 105 and andforms 106, 106,the forms the receptacles receptacles 108 and 108 and 109. Thebutton 109. The button cells110110 cells andand 111 111 are located are located in receptacles in said said receptacles sobeashoused so as to to beinhoused in a childproof a childproof

manner. manner. 2020250745

Thereceptacles The receptacles108108 andand 109 109 are each are each subdivided subdivided into a central into a central space space 112, 112, 113 of 113 of circular-cylindrical circular-cylindrical

basic shapeinto basic shape intowhich whichthethe button button cells cells 110, 110, 111111 are are inserted, inserted, and and a side a side spacespace 114,configured 114, 115 115 configured as a as a bulge ofthe bulge of thecentral centralspace. space. TheThe sideside spaces spaces 114115 114 and and 115 have have a height a smaller smaller height than than the the button button cells cells

110 and111. 110 and 111.The Thebutton button cells cells 110110 andand 111 111 therefore therefore cannot cannot penetrate penetrate into into the the side side 114, spaces spaces 114, 115. 115.

In In order to open order to thepackaging open the packaging 100, 100, the the scissor-cut scissor-cut markings markings 116 116 and andwhich 117, 117,lead which lead the through through side the side

spaces 114and spaces 114 and 115, 115, areare located located on the on the carrier carrier 101.101.

It Itisistotobe beunderstood that,ifif any understood that, anyprior priorart art is is referred to herein, referred to herein,such suchreference reference does does not not constitute constitute an an

admission that admission that the the prior prior artart forms forms a part a part of the of the common common generalgeneral knowledge knowledge in the art,inin the art, in Australia Australia or or any othercountry. any other country.

In In the the claims which claims which follow follow andand in the in the preceding preceding description description of the of the disclosure, disclosure, except except where thewhere con- the con-

text requires text requires otherwise otherwise due to express due to express language or necessary language or necessaryimplication, implication, the the word word"comprise" “comprise”oror variationssuch variations suchasas"comprises" “comprises” or “comprising” or "comprising" is usedisin used in an inclusive an inclusive sense, sense, i.e. i.e. to specify to specify the the pres- pres- ence ofthe ence of thestated statedfeatures features but but notnot to to preclude preclude the presence the presence or addition or addition of further of further features features in various in various

embodiments embodiments ofofthe thedisclosure. disclosure.

―――――――――――

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Claims Claims

1. 1. A retail A retail and and storage packofofthe storage pack theblister blistercard cardtype typecomprising: comprising:

a. a. a acarrier, carrier, and and

b. b. a aplastics plasticsmolded moldedpartpart withwith a planar a planar base surface base surface intoa which into which a depression depression has been intro- has been intro- 2020250745

duced by means duced by meansofofthermoforming, thermoforming,

wherein wherein

c. theplanar C. the planar base base surface surface of the of the plastics plastics molded molded part part is is fixed fixed on theon the carrier, carrier, suchthe such that that de-the de-

pression, togetherwith pression, together with thethe carrier, carrier, forms forms a closed a closed receptacle receptacle for a cylindrical for a cylindrical button button cell, cell, the button the buttoncell cellbeing beinga alithium lithiumion ionbutton button cell, cell,

and wherein and wherein

d. thereceptacle d. the receptacle comprises comprises a central a central space space of circular-cylindrical of circular-cylindrical basicinto basic shape shape into which thewhich the

button cell is button cell is inserted, inserted, and and

e. the receptacle e. the receptacle comprises comprisesaaside side space, space, the the side side space space being being configured configuredas as aa bulge bulge of of the the central spaceand central space and which which is configured is configured in such in such a way a way that it that it cannot cannot bebyfilled be filled by the button the button

cell; cell;

f. thecarrier f. the carriercomprises comprises at least at least oneone reinforcement reinforcement film which film which is connected is connected to thebase to the planar planar base surface of the surface of the plastics plastics molded molded part part andand which which delimits delimits the closed the closed receptacle; receptacle; and and g. g. atatleast leastone one scissor-cut scissor-cut marking, marking, which which leads leads through through the sidethe side space or space or spaces, the side the sideisspaces, is located onthe located on thecarrier. carrier.

2. 2. The The retail retail and and storage storage pack pack of the of the blister blister cardastype card type as claimed claimed in claimin1,claim 1, wherein wherein at least at oneleast of one of the followingadditional the following additionalfeatures: features:

a. a. itit comprises comprises more more thanthan the the one receptacle one receptacle for a for a cylindrical cylindrical buttonbutton cell, cell, in in particular particular two to two to

eight of these eight of receptacles. these receptacles.

b. b. the receptacles the receptaclesare arearranged arranged separately separately fromfrom one another one another on the on the carrier carrier and areand are sepa- sepa- rated fromone rated from oneanother another by by regions regions on carrier on the the carrier in which in which the planar the planar base surface base surface of the of the plastics plastics

molded part molded part isisfirmly firmlyconnected connected to the to the carrier. carrier.

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100

103

101

107

109 104 108 110 111

105 106 + +

102 114

116 117 115 112 113

Fig. 1

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