Blister pack and backer for packaging a toothbrush and method for making the same

Abstract

The present invention concerns a blister pack assembly for an article including a blister pack for receiving the article; and a backer having a top surface and a bottom surface, the backer being provided with printed material only on its top surface, so that when the backer is sealed to the blister pack, the seal will no, be affected by the presence of ink on the bottom surface. In order to provide a better appearance, the backer is preferably made of clear plastic. A first layer of ink is applied to the top surface, so that the ink, representing promotional material and other information, is visible through the clear plastic in the direction of the bottom surface of the backer. A second layer of ink is then applied over the first layer of ink, so that the first layer of ink is hidden from view when looking at the top surface of the backer. A third layer of ink, representing promotional material and other information is then applied to the second layer of ink, the third layer of ink being visible (and of course readable) only when looking at the top surface of the backer through the blister pack. Consequently, when the seal is made, no ink is present at the junction between the periphery of the bottom surface of the backer, permitting a clean seal between the backer and the blister pack. It should also be noted that since ink is not present on the bottom surface of the backer, the promotional material and other information visible on the bottom surface of the packer can cover the full area of the backer. The present invention also concerns a method for making a blister pack and backer for packaging an article.

1 . A backer for use with a blister pack assembly, said backer having an inside surface and an outside surface, said backer being made of a transparent material, said backer being provided with a first layer of ink on said outside surface representing indicia visible from said inside surface, and a third layer of ink representing indicia visible from said outside surface.  
     
     
         2 . A backer according to    claim 1   , wherein said backer further includes a second layer of ink, said second layer of ink being located between said first and third layers of ink, for visually insulating said first and third layers of ink.  
     
     
         3 . A backer according to    claim 1   , wherein said first layer of ink includes a plurality of layers of ink of different colors.  
     
     
         4 . A backer according to    claim 1   , wherein said third layer of ink includes a plurality of layers ink of different colors.  
     
     
         5 . A packaging assembly for packaging an article comprising: 
 a blister pack for receiving said article, said blister pack being made of a transparent material, said blister pack having an edge;    a backer having an inside surface and an outside surface, said backer being adapted to be joined to said blister pack at said edge through a seal on said inside surface, said backer being provided with a first layer of ink on said outside surface representing indicia visible from said inside surface, and a third layer of ink representing indicia visible from said outside surface.    
     
     
         6 . A packaging assembly according to    claim 5   , wherein said backer further includes a second layer of ink, said second layer of ink being located between said first and third layers of ink, for visually insulating said first and third layers of ink.  
     
     
         7 . A packaging assembly according to    claim 5   , wherein said first layer of ink includes a plurality of layers of ink of different colors.  
     
     
         8 . A packaging assembly according to    claim 5   , wherein said third layer of ink includes a plurality of layers of ink of different colors.  
     
     
         9 . A packaging assembly according to    claim 5   , wherein said article is a toothbrush.  
     
     
         10 . A packaging assembly according to    claim 5   , wherein said seal is an RF seal.  
     
     
         11 . A method for printing a backer for use with a blister pack, said method including the steps of: 
 a) providing a transparent backer having an inside surface and an outside surface;    b) applying a first layer of ink to said outside surface, said first layer of ink representing indicia visible from said inside surface; and    c) applying a third layer of ink to said outside surface, said third layer of ink representing indicia visible from said outside surface.    
     
     
         12 . A method according to    claim 11   , wherein said method further comprises the step 
 b1) applying a second layer of ink to said first layer of ink.