Backless blister packaging

Abstract

A package for securing a product is provided that comprises a sleeve having at least one hole therein. A substantially backless insert is provided, being configured to hold the product, wherein the insert is insertable into the sleeve. At least one window defined by the substantially backless insert comprises a taper that terminates in a window edge to define a barb engagable to an edge of the at least one hole and configured to secure the substantially backless insert into the sleeve.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A package for securing a product, comprising:
 a sleeve having at least one hole therein;   a substantially backless insert configured to hold the product, wherein the insert is insertable into the sleeve; and   at least one window defined by the substantially backless insert, wherein the window comprises a taper that terminates in a window edge so to define a barb engagable to an edge of the at least one hole and configured to secure the substantially backless insert into the sleeve.   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , comprising a retainer attachable to the substantially backless insert configured to secure the product between the substantially backless insert and the retainer. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the retainer is only attachable to the substantially backless insert in one orientation. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 2 , comprising:
 at least one alignment feature defined by the insert, wherein the retainer comprises at least one alignment feature configured to engage the at least one alignment feature defined by the insert.   
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 4 , comprising:
 a first alignment feature of the at least one alignment feature defined by the insert;   a second alignment feature of the at least one alignment feature defined by the insert;   a first alignment feature of the at least one alignment feature defined by the retainer;   a second alignment feature of the at least one alignment feature defined by the retainer;   wherein the first alignment feature of the at least one alignment feature defined by the insert is configured to engage the first alignment feature of the at least one alignment feature defined by the retainer; and   wherein the second alignment feature of the at least one alignment feature defined by the insert is configured to engage the second alignment feature of the at least one alignment feature defined by the retainer.   
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 5 , wherein the first alignment feature of the at least one alignment feature defined by the insert comprises a different shape than the second alignment feature of the at least one alignment feature defined by the insert. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the retainer is configured to prevent lateral and downward movement of the product. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a first window of the at least one window defined by the insert;   a second window of the at least one window defined by the insert;   a first hole of the at least one hole of the sleeve;   a second hole of the at least one hole of the sleeve;   wherein the first window comprises a taper that terminates in a first window edge to define a first barb engagable to a first edge of the first hole and configured to secure the substantially backless insert into the sleeve;   wherein the second window comprises a taper that terminates in a second window edge to define a second barb engagable to a first edge of the second hole and configured to secure the substantially backless insert into the sleeve; and   wherein the orientations of the first barb and second barb are in opposition, such that the first and second barbs are configured to prevent the removal of the insert from the sleeve once the first barb engages the first edge of the first hole and the second barb engages the first edge of the second hole.   
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 1 , comprising a perforated region defining a removable panel on the sleeve. 
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the barb is irreversibly engagable to the edge of the at least one hole. 
     
     
         11 . A method of packaging a product, comprising the steps of:
 providing a sleeve having at least one hole therein;   providing a substantially backless insert configured to hold the product, comprising at least one window defined thereby wherein the window comprises a taper that terminates in a window edge to define a barb;   inserting the substantially backless insert into the sleeve; and   engaging the barb against an edge of the at least one hole to secure the substantially backless insert into the sleeve.   
     
     
         12 . The method of packaging a product of  claim 11 , comprising:
 attaching a retainer to the substantially backless insert; and   securing the product between the substantially backless insert and the retainer.   
     
     
         13 . The method of packaging a product of  claim 12 , wherein the retainer is only attachable to the substantially backless insert in one orientation. 
     
     
         14 . The method of packaging a product of  claim 12 , comprising:
 providing at least one alignment feature defined by the insert;   providing at least one alignment feature defined by the retainer; and   engaging the at least one alignment feature defined by the insert to the at least one alignment feature defined by the retainer.   
     
     
         15 . The method of packaging a product of  claim 14 , comprising:
 providing a first alignment feature of the at least one alignment feature defined by the insert;   providing a second alignment feature of the at least one alignment feature defined by the insert;   providing a first alignment feature of the at least one alignment feature defined by the retainer;   providing a second alignment feature of the at least one alignment feature defined by the retainer;   engaging the first alignment feature of the at least one alignment feature defined by the insert to the first alignment feature of the at least one alignment feature defined by the retainer; and   engaging the second alignment feature of the at least one alignment feature defined by the insert to the second alignment feature of the at least one alignment feature defined by the retainer.   
     
     
         16 . The method of packaging a product of  claim 15 , wherein the first alignment feature of the at least one alignment feature defined by the insert comprises a different shape than the second alignment feature of the at least one alignment feature defined by the insert. 
     
     
         17 . The method of packaging a product of  claim 12 , comprising preventing substantial lateral and downward movement of the product. 
     
     
         18 . The method of packaging a product of  claim 11 , comprising:
 providing a first window of the at least one window defined by the insert;   providing a second window of the at least one window defined by the insert;   providing a first hole of the at least one hole of the sleeve;   providing a second hole of the at least one hole of the sleeve;   engaging a first barb defined by a taper that terminates in a first window edge to a first edge of the first hole to secure the substantially backless insert into the sleeve;   engaging a second barb defined by a taper that terminates in a second window edge to a first edge of the second hole to secure the substantially backless insert into the sleeve;   wherein the orientations of the first barb and second barb are in opposition, such that the first and second barbs are configured to prevent the removal of the insert from the sleeve once the first barb engages the first edge of the first hole and the second barb engages the first edge of the second hole.   
     
     
         19 . The method of packaging a product of  claim 11 , comprising providing a perforated region defining a removable panel on the sleeve. 
     
     
         20 . The method of packaging a product of  claim 11 , comprising irreversibly engaging the barb to the edge of the at least one hole.