Abstract:
A reclosable blister package includes a plastic blister having an outer peripheral flange and a raised portion for holding a product; a first card adapted to fit onto a first portion of the peripheral flange, wherein the first card is sealed onto the first portion of the peripheral flange; and a second card adapted to fit onto a second portion of the peripheral flange, the second card including a first half that is secured to a part of the second portion and a second half that is releasably fastened to another part of the second portion, the first half and the second half being connected to each other by a fold line; wherein one of the first and second cards includes a tab to enable the first and second cards to be releasably held together.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a reclosable blister package.  
         [0003]     2. Discussion of Related Art  
         [0004]     Blister packages are widely used to package articles for display during sale. At least two types of prior art blister packages are illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,611.  FIG. 1  discloses a “face-seal” blister package  80  which includes a transparent blister  82  that is secured to a backing material  84 , such as a paperboard panel. The blister is typically manufactured from PVC or PET, and is shaped to form a pocket or raised portion for holding products. In such a package, the blister  82  includes a pocket  86  and a peripheral flange  88 . The flange  88  extends outwardly and provides a mounting surface for securing the blister  82  to the backing material  84 . However, once such a package is opened, it cannot be easily reclosed.  
         [0005]     A second prior art package illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,611 is referred to as a “mock clamshell” construction. The mock clamshell  80 ′ is illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3  and includes a blister  82 ′ that includes a pocket  86 ′, a major planar surface  92 , and a peripheral flange  88 ′. The paperboard backing card  84 ′ is sealed to the peripheral flange  88 ′ and the major planar surface  92  in order to seal products within the pocket  86 ′.  
         [0006]     However, neither of these conventional products are resealable.  
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY  
       [0007]     It is an object of the present invention to make a package that can be easily reclosed, once it has been opened.  
         [0008]     According to one aspect of the present invention, a reclosable blister package includes a plastic blister having an outer peripheral flange and a raised portion or packet for holding a product, a first card adapted to fit onto a first portion of the peripheral flange, wherein the first card is sealed onto the first portion of the peripheral flange, a second card adapted to fit onto a second portion of the peripheral flange, the second card including a first half that is secured to a part of the second portion of the peripheral flange and a second half that is releasably fastened to another part of the second portion of the peripheral flange, the first half and the second half being connected to each other by a fold line, wherein one of the first and second cards includes a tab to enable the first and second cards to be releasably held together.  
         [0009]     According to another aspect of the present invention, a reclosable blister package includes a plastic blister having an outer peripheral flange and a raised portion for holding a product, a cover for closing the raised portion, the cover including a first half and a second half connected to each other by a fold line, wherein the first half of the cover is adapted to fit onto a first portion of the peripheral flange, and the second half of the cover is releasable fastened to a second portion of the peripheral flange, wherein one of the second half of the cover and the second portion of the peripheral flange includes a tab for releasably holding the second half of the cover closed to the plastic blister.  
         [0010]     Additional aspects of the present invention includes methods of opening and closing the aforementioned reclosable blister packages. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIGS. 1-3  illustrate prior art blister packages.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates a plan view of a plastic blister according to a first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the plastic blister of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of a first card used according to the first embodiment.  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is a plan view of a second card used in the first embodiment.  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  is a plan view of a plastic blister according to the second embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the plastic blister of  FIG. 10 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 12  is a plan view of a first card used according to the second embodiment.  
         [0021]      FIG. 13  is a plan view of a second card used in the second embodiment.  
         [0022]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 15  is a plan view of a plastic blister according to a third embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 16  is a side view of the plastic blister of  FIG. 15 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 17  is a plan view of a first card used according to the third embodiment.  
         [0026]      FIG. 18  is a plan view of a second card used in the third embodiment.  
         [0027]      FIG. 19  is a plan view of a third card used in the third embodiment.  
         [0028]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0029]      FIG. 21  is a side view of the bottom half of the fourth embodiment.  
         [0030]      FIG. 22  is a plan view of a lid used in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 23  is a top plan view of the bottom half of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0032]      FIGS. 4-8  illustrate a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustrating the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention to the disclosed embodiments. In particular, the present invention is not limited to the particular materials, shapes, and dimensions disclosed herein unless specifically indicated.  
         [0033]     A reclosable blister package  10  includes a plastic blister  12  made from PVC or PVT. In the preferred embodiment, the thickness of the plastic material is about 0.015 inches, and the plastic blister is preferably made in a conventional thermoforming machine. The plastic blister can be made of a transparent, translucent, or colored material, depending upon the preference of the user. However, other materials may be suitable for making the plastic blister  12 .  
         [0034]     The plastic blister  12  includes a raised portion or pocket  14  that is intended to hold the products that are shipped or stored in the blister package. The plastic blister  12  may also include a planar portion  17  adjacent the pocket  14 . A cutout  16  is preferably formed in the planar portion  17  to enable the blister package to be suspended on a hook for display. A peripheral flange  22  extends around the outer perimeter of the pocket  14  on all sides of the pocket  14 , except where the planar portion  17  is located.  
         [0035]     At the outside of the peripheral flange  22  and planar portion  17  is a small raised rim  19 . In a preferred embodiment, the height of the rim is about 0.187 inches, although other heights may be utilized according to the present invention. The rim  19  includes protrusions  18 ,  20  extending inwardly therefrom.  
         [0036]     Turning attention now to  FIG. 7 , a first card  26  is illustrated. The first card  26  is preferably made from cardboard, and is intended to fit within the rim  19  at the right side (as seen in  FIG. 5 ) of the plastic blister  12 . The first card  26  is placed on the peripheral flange  22  of the plastic blister.  
         [0037]     The first card  26  includes recesses  38  which are adapted to engage the protrusions  20  of the plastic blister  12  to facilitate alignment of the first card  26  with respect to the plastic blister  12 .  
         [0038]     Near the edge of the first card  26  closest to the cutout  16  in the blister  12 , is a slot  36 . The slot  36  is provided so as receive a tab  32  from a second card  24  so that the second card can be releasably fastened to the first card  26  in a manner similar to that of a conventional cereal box.  
         [0039]     As best seen in  FIG. 8 , the second card  24  is formed to fit within the rim  19  of the plastic blister  12  at the end thereof adjacent the planar portion  17 . The card  24  can be made of any suitable material, but is preferably made from cardboard. The card  24  includes a cutout  30  that is arranged to align with the cutout  16  in the plastic blister  12  to facilitate hanging the blister package from a hook for display purposes.  
         [0040]     The card  24  also includes recesses  28  that are adapted to align with protrusions  18  on the plastic blister. The protrusions  18  and recesses  28  facilitate proper placement of the card  24  onto the blister  12  during loading of the blister package. The card  24  is placed on the plastic blister at the planar portion  17  and along the peripheral flange  22 . The card  24  is preferably of such a length that the portion thereof, opposite the cutout  30 , extends over a small portion of the first card  26 .  
         [0041]     The card  24  includes a fold line  34 . In a preferred embodiment, the fold line  34  is intended to sit approximately at the edge between the planar portion  17  and the pocket  14 .  
         [0042]     The portion  42  of the card  24  to the left of the fold line  34 , as seen in  FIG. 8 , is intended to be substantially permanently sealed to the plastic blister  12 , as described above. The portion  43  of the card  24  to the right of the fold line, as seen in  FIG. 8 , is intended to be releasably sealed, preferably by a series of spot seals, to the peripheral flange  22  of the plastic blister  12 .  
         [0043]     At the right side of the card  24  (as seen in  FIG. 8 ) is a tab  32  which is intended to fit within slot  36  of the first card  26 .  
         [0044]     In assembling the blister package  10 , the plastic blister  12  is laid down in an appropriate station in a blister sealing machine. The products to be sealed within the package are then inserted into the pocket  14 . After the products are in the pocket  14 , the first card  26  is aligned with the protrusions  20  and is sealed to the flange  22  of the plastic blister  12  in a substantially permanent manner, either by adhesive or heat sealing. Then, the second card  24  is placed within the rim  19  such that the recesses  28  are in alignment with the protrusions  18 . The tab  32  of the second card  24  rests on top of the slot  36 . The left portion  42  of the second card  24  is substantially permanently sealed to the planar portion  17  of the plastic blister  12 . In addition, the peripheral portions of the remaining portion of the second card  24  are lightly or spot sealed along the peripheral flange  22  of the plastic blister  12 . If desired, the right edge of the second card  24  can be lightly sealed to the top of the first card  26 , although such sealing is not necessary.  
         [0045]     Alternatively, the cards  24 ,  26  can be sealed simultaneously to the blister  12  after both cards  24 ,  26  have been placed on the blister. In either case, the cards  24 ,  26  are sealed to the blister  12  by adhesive or heat sealing, or any suitable method known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The method by which the cards  24 ,  26  are sealed to the plastic blister  12  is intended to be substantially permanent.  
         [0046]     To remove the products from the pocket  14 , the right side  43  of the second card  24  is lifted up from the first card  26  and from the plastic blister  12 . This lifting process causes the second card  24  to fold along the fold line  34 . After the products have been removed from or inserted into the pocket, the tab  32  is then tucked into the slot  36  to hold the second card  24  in place on top of the first card  26  and the plastic blister  12 .  
         [0047]      FIGS. 9-13  illustrate a second preferred embodiment of the present invention which is designed to hold elongate objects such as windshield wiper blades. A reclosable blister package  100  includes a plastic blister  112  made from PVC or PVT. In the preferred embodiment, the thickness of the plastic material is about 0.015 inches, and the plastic blister is preferably made in a conventional thermoforming machine. The plastic blister can be made of a transparent, translucent, or colored material, depending upon the preference of the user.  
         [0048]     The plastic blister  112  includes a raised portion or pocket  114  that is intended to hold the products that are shipped or stored in the blister package. The plastic blister  112  may also include a planar portion  117  adjacent the pocket  114 . A cutout  116  is preferably formed in the planar portion  117  to enable the blister package to be suspended on a hook for display. A peripheral flange  122  extends around the outer perimeter of the pocket  114  on all sides of the pocket  114 , except where the planar portion  117  is located. If desired, a smaller pocket  114 ′ may be provided at one end of the package  100 .  
         [0049]     At the outside of the peripheral flange  122  and planar portion  117  is a small raised rim  119 . In a preferred embodiment, the height of the rim is about 0.187 inches, although other heights may be utilized according to the present invention. The rim  119  includes protrusions  118 ,  120  extending inwardly therefrom.  
         [0050]     Turning attention now to  FIG. 12 , a first card  126  is illustrated. The first card  126  is preferably made from cardboard, and is intended to fit within the rim  119  at the right side (as seen in  FIG. 10 ) of the plastic blister  112 . The first card  126  is sealed to the peripheral flange  122  of the plastic blister by adhesive or heat sealing, or any suitable method known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The method by which the first card  126  is sealed to the plastic blister  112  is intended to be substantially permanent.  
         [0051]     The first card  126  includes recesses  138  which are adapted to engage the protrusions  120  of the plastic blister  112  to facilitate alignment of the first card  126  with respect to the plastic blister  112 .  
         [0052]     Near the edge of the first card  126  closest to the cutout  116  in the blister  112 , is a slot  136 . The slot  136  is provided so as receive a tab  132  from a second card  124  so that the second card can be releasably fastened to the first card  126  in a manner similar to that of a conventional cereal box.  
         [0053]     As best seen in  FIG. 13 , the second card  124  is formed to fit within the rim  119  of the plastic blister  112  at the end thereof adjacent the planar portion  117 . The card  124  can be made of any suitable material, but is preferably made from cardboard. The card  124  includes a cutout  130  that is arranged to align with the cutout  116  in the plastic blister  112  to facilitate hanging the blister package from a hook for display purposes.  
         [0054]     The card  124  also includes recesses  128  that are adapted to align with protrusions  118  on the plastic blister. The protrusions  118  and recesses  128  facilitate proper placement of the card  124  onto the blister  112  during loading of the blister package. The card  124  is secured to the plastic blister at the planar portion  117  and along the peripheral flange  122  in any conventional manner, such as the use of an adhesive or heat sealing. The card  124  is preferably of such a length that the portion thereof, opposite the cutout  130 , extends over a small portion of the first card  126 .  
         [0055]     The card  124  includes a fold line  134 . In a preferred embodiment, the fold line  134  is intended to sit approximately at the edge between the planar portion  117  and the pocket  114 .  
         [0056]     The portion  142  of the card  124  to the left of the fold line  134 , as seen in  FIG. 10 , is intended to be substantially permanently sealed to the plastic blister  112 , as described above. The portion  143  of the card  124  to the right of the fold line, as seen in  FIG. 10 , is intended to be releasably sealed, preferably by a series of spot seals, to the peripheral flange  122  of the plastic blister  112 .  
         [0057]     At the right side of the card  124  (as seen in  FIG. 10 ) is a tab  132  which is intended to fit within slot  136  of the first card  126 .  
         [0058]     In assembling the blister package  110 , the plastic blister  112  is laid down in an appropriate station in a blister sealing machine. The products to be sealed within the package are then inserted into the pocket  114 . After the products are in the pocket  114 , the first card  126  is aligned with the protrusions  120  and is sealed to the flange  122  of the plastic blister  112  in a substantially permanent manner, either by adhesive or heat sealing. Then, the second card  124  is placed within the rim  119  such that the recesses  128  are in alignment with the protrusions  118 . The tab  132  of the second card  124  rests on top of the slot  136 . The left portion  142  of the second card  124  is substantially permanently sealed to the planar portion  117  of the plastic blister  112 . In addition, the peripheral portions of the remaining portion of the second card  124  are lightly or spot sealed along the peripheral flange  122  of the plastic blister  112 . If desired, the right edge of the second card  124  can be lightly sealed to the top of the first card  126 , although such sealing is not necessary.  
         [0059]     Alternatively, the cards  124 ,  126  can be sealed simultaneously to the blister  112  after both cards  124 ,  126  have been placed on the blister. In either case, the cards  124 ,  126  are sealed to the blister  112  by adhesive or heat sealing, or any suitable method known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The method by which the cards  124 ,  126  are sealed to the plastic blister  112  is intended to be substantially permanent.  
         [0060]     To remove the products from the pocket  114 , the right side  143  of the second card  124  is lifted up from the first card  126  and from the plastic blister  112 . This lifting process causes the second card  124  to fold along the fold line  134 . After the products have been removed from or inserted into the pocket, the tab  132  is then tucked into the slot  136  to hold the second card  124  in place on top of the first card  126  and the plastic blister  112 .  
         [0061]      FIGS. 14-19  illustrate a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment includes three pockets and uses three separate cards to seal the pockets. A reclosable blister package  210  includes a plastic blister  212  made from PVC or PVT. In the preferred embodiment, the thickness of the plastic material is about 0.015 inches, and the plastic blister is preferably made in a conventional thermoforming machine. The plastic blister can be made of a transparent, translucent, or colored material, depending upon the preference of the user.  
         [0062]     The plastic blister  212  includes three raised portions or pockets  214 ,  214 ′,  214 ″ that are intended to hold the products that are shipped or stored in the blister package. The plastic blister  212  may also include a planar portion  217  adjacent the pockets  214 ,  214 ′,  214 ″. A cutout  216  is preferably formed in the planar portion  217  to enable the blister package to be suspended on a hook for display. A peripheral flange  222  extends around the outer perimeter of the pocket  214  on all sides of the pockets  214 ,  214 ′,  214 ″, except where the planar portion  217  is located.  
         [0063]     At the outside of the peripheral flange  222  and planar portion  217  is a small raised rim  219 . In a preferred embodiment, the height of the rim is about 0.187 inches, although other heights may be utilized according to the present invention. The rim  219  includes protrusions  218 ,  220 ,  221  extending inwardly therefrom.  
         [0064]     Turning attention now to  FIG. 17 , a first card  226  is illustrated. The first card  226  is preferably made from cardboard, and is intended to fit within the rim  219  at the center of the plastic blister  212 . The first card  226  is sealed to the peripheral flange  222  of the plastic blister by adhesive or heat sealing, or any suitable method known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The method by which the first card  226  is sealed to the plastic blister  212  is intended to be substantially permanent.  
         [0065]     The first card  226  includes recesses  238  which are adapted to engage the protrusions  221  of the plastic blister  212  to facilitate alignment of the first card  226  with respect to the plastic blister  212 .  
         [0066]     Near the edge of the first card  226  closest to the cutout  216  in the blister  212 , is a slot  236 . A second slot  236 ′ is provided near the opposite edge of the card  236 . The slots  236 ,  236 ′ are provided so as receive tabs  232 ,  232 ′ from a second card  224  and a third card  224 ′ so that the second and third cards can be releasably fastened to the first card  226  in a manner similar to that of a conventional cereal box.  
         [0067]     As best seen in  FIG. 18 , the second card  224  is formed to fit within the rim  219  of the plastic blister  212  at the end thereof adjacent the planar portion  217 . The card  224  can be made of any suitable material, but is preferably made from cardboard. The card  224  includes a cutout  230  that is arranged to align with the cutout  216  in the plastic blister  212  to facilitate hanging the blister package from a hook for display purposes.  
         [0068]     The card  224  also includes recesses  228  that are adapted to align with protrusions  218  on the plastic blister. The protrusions  218  and recesses  228  facilitate proper placement of the card  224  onto the blister  212  during loading of the blister package. The card  224  is secured to the plastic blister at the planar portion  217  and along the peripheral flange  222  in any conventional manner, such as the use of an adhesive or heat sealing. The card  224  is preferably of such a length that the portion thereof, opposite the cutout  230 , extends over a small portion of the first card  226 .  
         [0069]     The card  224  includes a fold line  234 . In a preferred embodiment, the fold line  234  is intended to sit approximately at the edge between the planar portion  217  and the pocket  214 .  
         [0070]     The portion  242  of the card  224  to the left of the fold line  234 , as seen in  FIG. 18 , is intended to be substantially permanently sealed to the plastic blister  212 , as described above. The portion  243  of the card  224  to the right of the fold line, as seen in  FIG. 18 , is intended to be releasably sealed, preferably by a series of spot seals, to the peripheral flange  222  of the plastic blister  212 .  
         [0071]     At the right side of the card  224  (as seen in  FIG. 18 ) is a tab  232  which is intended to fit within slot  236  of the first card  226 .  
         [0072]     As best seen in  FIG. 19 , the third card  224 ′ is formed to fit within the rim  219  of the plastic blister  212  at the end thereof opposite the planar portion  217 . The third card  224 ′ can be made of any suitable material, but is preferably made from cardboard.  
         [0073]     The third card  224 ′ includes recesses  228 ′ that are adapted to align with protrusions  220  on the plastic blister. The protrusions  220  and recesses  228 ′ facilitate proper placement of the third card  224 ′ onto the blister  212  during loading of the blister package. The card  224 ′ is secured to the plastic blister along the peripheral flange  222  at the end of the plastic blister  212  opposite the cutout  216  in any conventional manner, such as the use of an adhesive or heat sealing. The third card  224 ′ is preferably of such a length that a portion thereof extends over a small portion of the first card  226 .  
         [0074]     The third card  224 ′ includes a fold line  234 ′. In a preferred embodiment, the fold line  234 ′ is intended to sit adjacent the right side of the blister  212  as seen in  FIG. 15 , but to the left of the flange  222 .  
         [0075]     The portion  242 ′ of the third card  224 ′ to the right of the fold line  234 ′, as seen in  FIG. 19 , is intended to be substantially permanently sealed to the flange  222  of the plastic blister  212 , as described above. The portion  243 ′ of the card  224  to the left of the fold line, as seen in  FIG. 19 , is intended to be releasably sealed, preferably by a series of spot seals, to the peripheral flange  222  of the plastic blister  212 .  
         [0076]     At the left side of the card  224 ′ (as seen in  FIG. 19 ) is a tab  232 ′ which is intended to fit within slot  236 ′ of the first card  226 .  
         [0077]     In assembling the blister package  210 , the plastic blister  212  is laid down in an appropriate station in a blister sealing machine. The products to be sealed within the package are then inserted into the pockets  214 ,  214 ′,  214 ″. After the products are in the pockets, the first card  226  is aligned with the protrusions  221  and is sealed to the flange  222  of the plastic blister  212  in a substantially permanent manner, either by adhesive or heat sealing. Then, the second card  224  is placed within the rim  219  such that the recesses  228  are in alignment with the protrusions  218 . The tab  232  of the second card  224  rests on top of the slot  236 . The left portion  242  of the second card  224  is substantially permanently sealed to the planar portion  217  of the plastic blister  212 . In addition, the peripheral portions of the remaining portion of the second card  224  are lightly or spot sealed along the peripheral flange  222  of the plastic blister  212 . If desired, the right edge of the second card  224  can be lightly sealed to the top of the first card  226 , although such sealing is not necessary.  
         [0078]     Then, the third card  224 ′ is placed within the rim  219  such that the recesses  228 ′ are in alignment with the protrusions  220 . The tab  232 ′ of the third card  224 ′ rests on top of the slot  236 ′. The right portion  242 ′ of the third card  224 ′ is substantially permanently sealed to the flange  222  of the plastic blister  212 . In addition, the peripheral portions of the remaining portion of the third card  224 ′ are lightly or spot sealed along the peripheral flange  222  of the plastic blister  212 . If desired, the left edge of the second card  224 ′ can be lightly sealed to the top of the first card  226 , although such sealing is not necessary.  
         [0079]     Alternatively, the cards  224 ,  224 ′, and  226  can be sealed simultaneously to the blister  210  after the cards  224 ,  224 ′, and  226  have been placed on the blister. In either case, the cards  224 ,  224 ′, and  226  are sealed to the blister  210  by adhesive or heat sealing, or any suitable method known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The method by which the cards  224 ,  224 ′, and  226  are sealed to the plastic blister  210  is intended to be substantially permanent.  
         [0080]     To remove the products from the pocket  214 , the right side  243  of the second card  224  is lifted up from the first card  226  and from the plastic blister  212 . This lifting process causes the second card  224  to fold along the fold line  234 . After the products have been removed from or inserted into the pocket  214 , the tab  232  is then tucked into the slot  236  to hold the second card  224  in place on top of the first card  226  and the plastic blister  212 .  
         [0081]     To remove the products from the pocket  214 ″, the left side  243 ′ of the third card  224 ′ is lifted up from the first card  226  and from the plastic blister  212 . This lifting process causes the third card  224 ′ to fold along the fold line  234 ′. After the products have been removed from or inserted into the pocket  214 ″, the tab  232 ′ is then tucked into the slot  236 ′ to hold the third card  224 ′ in place on top of the first card  226  and the plastic blister  212 .  
         [0082]     To remove the products from the pocket  214 ′, the first card  226  is simply removed from the plastic blister  212 . The first card  226  is not designed to be resealed on the plastic blister  212  in this illustrated embodiment.  
         [0083]     A fourth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 20-23 . The fourth embodiment relates to a plastic package  300  that is particularly adapted for holding batteries. However, the package is suitable for numerous other products, as well.  
         [0084]     The package  300  includes a lower half  312  that is made from PVC or PET material. For purpose of stability, ridges  314  may be formed in the sidewalls of the lower half to reinforce the sidewalls. See  FIG. 21 .  
         [0085]      FIG. 23  is a plan view of the lower half  312 . As best seen in  FIG. 23 , a flange  316  extends around the outer periphery of the top of the lower half  312 . At one edge of the flange  316  is a perforated line  318  made to facilitate separating the outer edge  319  from remainder of the lower half  312 .  
         [0086]     In addition, tabs  320  are formed near the top of the walls, adjacent the flange  316 .  
         [0087]     A top plan view of the lid  324  is illustrated in  FIG. 22 . The lid also includes a flange  334  adapted to fit against the flange  316  of the lower half  312  of the package  300 . The lid  324  also includes a hinge  330  or fold line dividing the lid  324  into a first, fixed half  326  and a second, hinged half  328 . The flange  334  extending around the fixed half  326  of the lid  324  is permanently sealed to the respective portion of the flange  316  of the lower half  312  by a heat sealing or adhesive process.  
         [0088]     In addition, the portion of the outer flange  334  of the lid  324  that is facing the outer flange  319  of the lower half  312  is secured to the outer portion  319  of the flange  316  of the lower half  312 . In a preferred embodiment, the remainder of the outer flange  334  of the second, hinged half  328  is not sealed or secured in any way to the flange  316  of the lower half  312 . However, in an alternative embodiment, portions of the outer flange  334  of the hinged half  328  may be lightly or periodically sealed to the flange  316  of the lower half  312 .  
         [0089]     To assemble the package  300 , the products, such as batteries, that are to be stored in the package  300  are placed in the lower half  312 , together with any insert cards or additional material. The lid  324  is then placed on top of the lower half  312 , and is then sealed, as described above.  
         [0090]     To access the contents of the package  300 , the outer flange  316  of the lower half  312  is separated along the perforated line  318  which separates the outer portion of the flange  319  from the remainder of the flange. The outer portion  319  of the flange remains sealed to the outer flange  334  of the second, hinged half  328 , thus enabling the second, hinged half  328  to fold along the hinge  330  to provide access to the container  300 .  
         [0091]     The container  300  can be resealed by closing the second, hinged half  328  onto the lower half  312  and locking tabs  320  of the lower half  312  into recesses  332  provided in the lid  324 . Thus, the hinged half  328  can be opened and closed as needed by engaging or disengaging the tabs  320  from the recesses  332 .  
         [0092]     As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the lid may be formed in alternative manners, such as the hinge or fold line extending across the short dimension of the package, instead of along the long dimension of the package. In addition, tabs may be formed on the lid with recesses provided in the lower half  312 .  
         [0093]     Although only preferred embodiments are specifically illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated that many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings and within the purview of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and intended scope of the invention.