It is a term for certain types of pre-formed plastic packaging used for small consumer goods, foods, and for pharmaceutical products containing tablets, capsules and other small items. Blister packs consist of a plastic (usually PVC, polypropylene, or other heat-sealable plastic film) that is heat-sealed to a backing material (usually paperboard, aluminium foil, or plastic films metallized with aluminium). The bubbles produced are known as blisters which contain the product. The bubbles are created through a thermoforming process where plastic is heated and molded to push material out of depressions in a die.

Key Advantages

It offers several key advantages over other packaging types. It provides effective product protection and extends shelf life by providing a barrier against moisture, oxygen, and other contaminants that could compromise product quality. The individual Blister Packaging provide tamper evidence by clearly showing if a package has been opened. This is important for pharmaceutical products to assure authenticity and safety. It also allows for easy consumption as the structured packaging shape is designed to readily dispense individual product doses or items. This can aid senior citizens and others with dexterity challenges. It preserves brand identity and product information through its clear plastic face material. Customizable printing and labeling options also aid consumer decision making at the point of purchase.

Design Flexibility and Production Efficiency

Blister packaging formats are highly customizable based on product properties and targeted applications. Standard blister design parameters like card stock/foil material composition, individual blister cavity size/shape/arrangement, lid film material type can all be varied. This allows the same basic technology to be adapted for a wide variety of product types. Blister production using thermoforming equipment can create packaging in continuous high-speed processes. The sealing stage which fuses lidding film to the blister card stock can be automated for high throughput. This efficiency advantage makes blister packaging scalable for production volumes ranging from small batch to mass manufacturing levels.

Sustainability Attributes of Blister Packs

While earlier blister pack designs relied heavily on non-recyclable PVC plastic films, modern formulations utilize recyclable polypropylene and other sustainable thermoplastic materials. The structure allows empty blister packs to be easily flattened to minimize post-use storage volume. Some manufacturers have also introduced peelable lid options which enable separation of plastic and paper components for improved recyclability. Overall, the optimal barrier properties permit lower grammage film materials compared to alternative formats like flow wrap. This translates to less material usage per unit packaged. Blister packs designed with an emphasis on sustainability and circularity will play an important role in future packaging strategies.

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