Transparent packaging with imprint applied after closing

Abstract

A package for small electronic articles and the like comprises forward and rear sections formed of transparent sheet plastic. The edges of the sections are joined and sealed to secure the article in the package. An imprinted display card is secured to the rear wall of the rear section by tabs arrayed about the rear wall so that the printing on the forward side of the card, which is not blocked by the article, is visible through the front of the package.

1 . A method of packaging and distributing articles in transparent sheet plastic containers having forward and rear sections which may be joined to secure the articles therein comprising: 
 securing said articles in such containers and sealing the pairs of sections at a first facility; and    transmitting the closed and sealed containers to a plurality of second facilities where imprinted cards are secured to the outer side of the rear section of each closed container, the imprinted cards being printed on both sides so that those portions of the forward side not blocked by the article are visible through the forward side of the container and the rear side is visible from the rear side of the container.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the imprinted cards are secured to the rear of the containers by means of clips which project inwardly from spaced points along the edges of the periphery of the rear section of the container.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  in which the forward and rear sections are joined at edges by an integrally formed hinge section.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  in which the imprinted cards secured to certain of the closed containers are imprinted differently from cards secured to other of the containers.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  in which the container sections are formed by vacuum forming.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  in which the container sections are composed of polycarbonate.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  in which at least a portion of one of the container sections is imprinted, leaving a clear window through which the imprinting on the secured card is visible.  
   
   
       8 . A package for an article, comprising: 
 a container comprising a forward section formed of transparent sheet plastic having a cavity formed on its rear side for reception of said article and a rear section formed of transparent sheet plastic adapted to have its forward side secured to the rear side of said forward section to secure said article in the container, said rear having a flat, central section on its rear wall; and    a flat card imprinted on both sides, retained against the flat, central section of the rear wall of said rear section so that those portions of the forward side of the card not blocked by the article are visible through the forward side of the container and the rear side of the card is visible from the rear side of the container.    
   
   
       9 . The package of  claim 8  wherein the rear side of the rear section of the container is formed with clips on its periphery which project inwardly from spaced points to secure the imprinted card against the rear side.  
   
   
       10 . The package of  claim 8  wherein the imprinted card is adhered to the central, flat section of the rear side of the rear section of the container.  
   
   
       11 . The package of  claim 9  wherein both the rear and forward sections of the package are rectangular, the imprinted card is rectangular, and the height and width of the imprinted card is such that it fits within the area defined by the clips.  
   
   
       12 . The package of  claim 8  wherein the forward and rear sections of the container are joined to one another by an integral hinge formed at complementary edges of the sections.  
   
   
       13 . The package of  claim 12  wherein the forward and rear sections of the package and the integral hinge are formed by a vacuum forming process.  
   
   
       14 . A package for an article comprising: 
 a container formed of a rectangular forward section of a transparent polycarbonate plastic, formed with a cavity on its rear side for reception of said article, and a rectangular rear section of a transparent polycarbonate plastic having a central, flat section on its back side surrounded by a series of inwardly projecting clips, the forward and rear sections being joined at complementary edges by an integrally formed hinge section so that the forward and rear sections may be positioned in an open arrangement to allow insertion or removal of said article in the cavity on the rear side of the forward section, or a closed arrangement to secure said article in the container; and    a flat card, imprinted on at least its forward side, having dimensions complementary to the area defined by said clips, retained with its forward side against the central, flat section on the rear of the rear section of the container with the edges of the card retained by the clips so that the printing on the forward side of the card which is not blocked by the article is visible on the forward side of the container, through the rear and forward sections of the container.    
   
   
       15 . The package of  claim 14  in which the clips are arranged about all four sides of a rectangular area and the imprinted card is rectangular with dimensions complementary to the area defined by the clips.