Blister Pack Packaging: A Comprehensive Overview

Blister pack packaging is a popular choice for protecting and displaying products, especially in the pharmaceutical and medical industries. It's a type of packaging that consists of a plastic tray with a foil backing.

The blister pack is designed to keep products fresh and secure, with a clear plastic window that allows for easy viewing. This is particularly useful for medications that need to be taken at specific times or in specific dosages.

Blister packs are often used for products that require a high level of protection, such as prescription medications or medical devices. They're also commonly used for over-the-counter medications, such as pain relievers and antihistamines.

Blister packs can be customized with different shapes, sizes, and colors to meet the specific needs of a product. This makes them a versatile and effective packaging solution for a wide range of products.

Blister pack packaging is a type of packaging that protects products by enclosing them in a transparent, sealed cover. This cover makes it easy to see the product and helps increase its shelf life.

Blister packaging is commonly used for products that require protection from external influences, such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, and cosmetics. These products are often sensitive to moisture, contaminants, and shock, which is why blister packaging provides a barrier against these factors.

Blister packaging is manufactured using various processes, including forming, filling, sealing, and cutting. This process provides a protective shield for the product, as well as an aesthetically appealing presentation.

Here are the three main manufacturing processes used to create blister packaging:

Blister pack packaging is a type of packaging that protects products and is enclosed in a transparent, sealed cover.

This type of packaging makes it easy to see the product inside and helps increase the shelf life of the product.

Packaging is a way to protect and display products, often using materials like plastic, metal, or paper to create a barrier against the outside environment.

Blister packaging is a type of packaging that uses a molded cavity covered with a transparent plastic film or aluminum foil to shield the product from external influences.

The materials used for blister packaging include PVC, PET, and aluminum, which provide a protective shield for the product.

Blister packaging is commonly used for products that require visibility and protection, such as tablets, capsules, and electronics.

Manufacturing processes for blister packaging involve forming, filling, sealing, and cutting, which provide a barrier against moisture, contaminants, and shock.

Aesthetical appeal is also an important aspect of blister packaging, making the product look attractive and attractive to consumers.

Blister packaging plays a significant role in various fields, including the protection of drugs and offering theft-proof hinged covers for electronics.

Blister packs come in a variety of types, each with its own unique qualities and price points.

Face Seal blisters are the most common type, consisting of a flanged thermoformed blister and a paperboard backing that are heat-sealed together. This type of blister pack is a great option for many products.

Full Face Seal blisters offer added durability and reduced risk of bent corners on the blister card, as the plastic blister covers the entire front of the package. They're a great choice for products that require extra protection.

Mock Clamshells have a similar look to full face seal blisters but also include a small flange around the perimeter that notches together like a clamshell. This adds an extra layer of security to the package.

There are also more advanced types of blister packs, such as the Trapped Blister, which is popular in the club store market and features two blister cards that allow for more billboard space. Trapped blisters are also more tamper-resistant.

For eco-conscious companies, there's the ecoCombo Blister, which combines the speed and ease of combination-run packaging with sustainable materials like post-consumer recycled thermoformed blisters. This type of blister pack is a great option for companies looking to reduce their environmental impact.

Another sustainable option is the All-Paper Blister, which is made entirely of paper, including the blister itself. This type of blister pack can be printed on more of the package surface and can be run using various substrates, including paperboard certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.

Here are some key features of the different types of blister packs:

Blister pack packaging uses a variety of materials to protect products from the environment. The most popular materials include PVC, PET, and aluminum foil.

PVC is the most preferred material due to its transparency and excellent barrier qualities, making it suitable for pharmaceutical and consumer packaging. It's also low cost and economically effective.

PET, on the other hand, boasts reusability and is a sustainable solution for blister packaging. It has high clarity, making it ideal for retail display.

Aluminum foil provides high protection levels and is ideal for sensitive products like tablets and capsules. However, it's opaque and limits product visibility.

Trays are another type of packaging made from the same plastics as blister packs. They're essentially the same, but used for different purposes.

Thermoformed trays, also known as blister trays, are made on the same machines as blister packs and can be sealed to a paperboard card or hung on a merchandising wall.

Blister trays can be lidded with foil, film, or a thermoformed plastic lid and are often used as packaging insert trays or shipping trays.

The thickness of the plastic sheet used to make medical blister trays is typically between 500 and 1,000 μg, making them solid and unable to be collapsed.

Medical blister trays are used for sterile medical devices in hospitals and have a peel-open feature provided by the lidding film, which is often made from materials like Dupont medical Tyvek.

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Thermoforming is a popular method for creating blister packaging, and one of the most common materials used is PVC. PVC is a low-cost and easy-to-form material, but it has poor barrier properties against moisture and oxygen.

For pharmaceutical blister packaging, PVC is often used because it offers structural rigidity and physical protection for the product. However, it's essential to note that PVC blisters must remain accessible by the push-through effect and not be too hard to collapse when pressed upon.

In contrast, aluminum-based laminates, like cold form foil, offer a near complete barrier for water and oxygen, allowing for an extended product expiry date. This makes them ideal for packaging sensitive products like tablets and capsules.

One of the most significant advantages of cold form foil is its slower production speed compared to thermoforming. However, this slower speed is often a trade-off for the added protection and barrier properties that aluminum provides.

Here's a comparison of the materials used in blister packaging:

In terms of barrier properties, PCTFE (Polychlorotrifluoroethylene) is a top contender. When laminated to PVC, it creates a very high moisture barrier, making it ideal for pharmaceutical products.

PVDC is a type of coating that can be applied to a PVC film to achieve high moisture and oxygen barrier properties. It's the most common and prevailing barrier film used for pharmaceutical blister packs.

PVDC coatings are the most economical method of adding water barrier and oxygen barrier properties to a PVC film. This is because they can be applied using an emulsion coating process, which is a cost-effective way to achieve high barrier properties.

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PVDC is available in two types of polymer: historic grades offering medium to high barrier properties, and a super barrier coating grade offering the highest barrier. The super barrier PVDC has over twice the barrier to moisture and oxygen per gram coating weight compared to the historic grades.

The super barrier PVDC is commonly used in triplex configurations, such as 250μ PVC/25μ PE/120gsm PVDC. This structure offers a WVTR of 0.11 to 0.06 g/m per day, making it an excellent choice for applications where high barrier properties are required.

PVDC coated blister films are available in duplex or triplex specifications, with coating weights ranging from 40gsm to 120gsm. The coating weight is expressed in grams per square meter (gsm).

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Lidding foils are a crucial component of pharmaceutical blister packs, and they come in different types. The most common lidding foil is 20 μm hard tamper aluminum.

This type of lidding foil is often used because it can be supplied pinhole-free from the producers, ensuring a high level of quality and reliability. The lidding foil is coated with a heat-seal lacquer on the inside and a print primer on the outside.

Pharmaceutical blister packs rely on lidding foils to provide tamper evidence and protect the contents from external factors like humidity and contamination. This type of sealing is particularly effective for protecting light-sensitive products from UV rays that can negatively affect efficacy.

Additional reading: Blister Packaging Machine Pharmaceutical Industry

Blister pack packaging offers numerous benefits and advantages. It provides optimum protection to products, especially those prone to defects like moisture, light, and contamination.

Blister packs made from aluminum foil and PVC materials create a barrier that enhances the shelf life of products. This barrier provides added protection without compromising product safety or effectiveness.

Blister packaging machines are fast and economical to use, reducing packaging costs effectively. They lower the need for additional protective materials, such as plastic bags or extra cartons.

By reducing packaging costs, blister packaging contributes to lower price points for end products. This makes them competitive in the market.

Blister packaging is convenient due to its easily tearable edges or specifically designed ‘push-through’ feature. This is particularly useful for pharmaceuticals.

The smooth appearance of blister packs allows for easy stacking and storage, benefiting space and supply chain management in warehouses.

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Blisters are designed to provide a deterrent to theft by sealing or trapping the product between the blister and the card. Packages are typically designed to be tamper-evident to ward off temptation.

This unique design makes it difficult for thieves to quickly grab and go, as they'll likely trigger the tamper-evident feature.

The blister packaging system is an effective way to protect products from theft, especially in retail environments where inventory is frequently handled.

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Blister packaging is a cost-effective way of showcasing a product.

The material and design of blister packaging make it more affordable than other types of packages.

There are different types of blister packaging, including Face Seal, Trap, Mock, Slide, and Interactive, each with its unique qualities and price points.

Face Seal and Trap types are entry-level options, while high-end options are available for those who need more advanced features.

Blister pack packaging is used in a variety of markets and product categories. One notable example is the club store market, where blister packaging is commonly used to display and sell products.

Blister packaging is also widely used in major retail chains, making it a staple in the retail industry.

If you've ever been to a home improvement store or a hardware store, you've likely seen blister packaging in action. This type of packaging is perfect for displaying tools and hardware products.

Some examples of product categories that use blister packaging include:

Pharmaceutical blister packs are designed to provide accurate filling and sealing features, as well as hygiene standards to ensure quality patient care.

These packs allow patients to maintain adherence to their medication schedule, often with the blister marked with the days of the week, making it easier for patients to take their medication on time.

The blister packaging machines used in the pharmaceutical industry should provide precise dosing and tamper-evident sealing to prevent the wrong dosage and unauthorized access.

High-Precision Automated Blister Packaging Machines are ideal for high-speed, high-accuracy production lines of pharmaceuticals, guaranteeing the safety and wholeness of the products.

Pharmaceutical blister packs are also designed to protect light-sensitive products from UV rays that can negatively affect efficacy, and to prevent external factors like humidity and contamination.

Pharmaceutical blister packs are typically made of a relatively thin blister tray that is lidded with a foil barrier, allowing the medication or supplement to be pushed through the lidding material.

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Here are some key features of pharmaceutical blister packs:

Pharmaceutical blister packs are widely used in the pharmaceutical industry due to their ability to provide accurate filling and sealing features, as well as hygiene standards to ensure quality patient care.

Medical trays are often used in the medical industry for packaging and shipping sterile medical devices.

Medical blister trays are made of a thicker plastic sheet, typically between 500 and 1,000 μg, which makes them solid and unable to be collapsed.

The lidding film on medical blister trays is designed to be peel-open and is often porous to allow for sterilization, such as the Dupont medical Tyvek material.

Medical blister trays are a common sight in hospitals, where they are used to package and store sterile medical devices.

These trays are made on the same machines as blister packs and are essentially the same type of packaging, but with a thicker base web for added durability.

Blister pack packaging is a popular choice for pharmaceutical companies due to its high-quality and precision. SED Pharma, a leading manufacturer of blister packaging machines, delivers high-quality equipment solutions worldwide with a 5,500 m² factory and a dedicated team of over 100 R&D and office personnel.

For pharmaceutical applications, SED Pharma's machines, like the SED-GP Series, support high-speed blister packaging for ALU-PVC and ALU-ALU materials, with production speeds reaching up to 14,400 plates per hour. This meets industry standards for dosing precision and contamination control.

Rohrer offers three different manufacturing processes for blister packaging: ezCombo, Custom, and Stock. Each process has its own unique features and benefits, allowing brands to choose the best option for their product.

Here's a brief overview of each process:

Most blister packs are designed to hang on a merchandising wall, which is why they often feature a hanging element.

Hang holes are a common feature in blister packaging designs, especially since paperboard can rip more easily than plastic.

Multiple hanging hole styles are available, giving manufacturers flexibility in their design choices.

The integration of hang holes into the plastic blister is a practical solution that helps prevent damage to the packaging.

Blister packaging offers a wide range of colors and finishes, allowing manufacturers to make their products stand out on shelves.

This versatility in design can be a game-changer for businesses looking to increase brand recognition and customer loyalty. Manufacturers can use this to their advantage by creating eye-catching packaging that grabs customers' attention.

The ability to include promotional materials or advertisements in blister packaging gives businesses another way to build their brand and connect with customers.

Developing a custom package can be a bit of a process, but it's worth it to get a product that perfectly fits your needs. Typically, it takes around 1 to 2 weeks after First Article approval is provided for the product to be scheduled for production.

Before production can begin, you'll need to establish customer credit. This is a standard step in the process. Once that's taken care of, you can submit a purchase order for a prototype.

The prototype process involves creating a Ren board mold in-house and producing blister samples. These samples are then designed and tested for form, fit, and function. After testing, the samples are shipped to the client for approval.

If the client approves the prototype, production can move forward. However, if revisions are needed, they can be made - and in some cases, minor revisions may be done at no additional charge.

Blister packaging offers several methods for securing and displaying products. Hinged blister packs are a type of blister packaging that features a hinge connecting the blister and backing.

This design makes the package reusable. Hinged blister packs are commonly used in electronics and consumer goods.

They provide added convenience for the end user while maintaining product security and visibility.

In the cutting and finishing stage, completed and sealed blister packs are divided into individual units or sheets. This process is crucial for making the blister packs easy to use and store.

Some equipment used during this stage can produce different sizes and configurations of packages, such as blister cards for medicines or clamshells for electronics. This flexibility allows manufacturers to create a wide range of products.

Clean edges are produced on the surface during the cutting and finishing process, making it easy to handle and store the finished blister packs. This attention to detail ensures that the products are both functional and visually appealing.

After the cutting and finishing stage, the blister packs are prepared for shipment and sale. This includes packaging them in a way that provides long-lasting protection and makes them attractive to consumers.

Machine functionality is crucial when selecting a blister packaging machine. The right machine can make all the difference in ensuring the quality and safety of your products.

For pharmaceutical products, a high-precision automated blister packaging machine is recommended, as it guarantees precise dosing and tamper-evident sealing. This is essential for preventing the wrong dosage and unauthorized access.

In contrast, rigid blister packs are ideal for small items like batteries and electronic components, as they provide impact resistance and high transparency. This ensures the product's safety and allows consumers to see the product clearly.

For food products, a high-speed blister packaging machine is perfect, as it offers efficient packaging with moisture and oxygen protection. This is especially important for high-turnover production lines, where labor expenses can be reduced and productivity improved.

If you're packaging non-conventional products like cosmetics or auto spare parts, a multi-functional blister packaging machine is a good choice. This type of machine offers flexibility in terms of packaging different sizes, shapes, and materials, and can be customized to meet specific needs.

Here are some key features to consider when selecting a blister packaging machine:

The forming process in food packaging machines involves heating plastic materials like PVC or PET until they reach the required temperature.

This heated material is then shaped into cavities through vacuum or pressure forming, allowing each compartment to be individually shaped.

PVDC or other polymers are often added to enhance the water vapor barrier properties of the packaging.

Some machines use vacuum forming to create the blister shape that securely holds the product, while others use pressure forming for the same purpose.

The heating and forming process is critical in ensuring a secure and protective fit for the packaged items.

The selection of a blister packaging machine is not just about the product characteristics, but also about the application requirements of the machine.

For pharmaceutical products, you'll want a machine that provides precise dosing and tamper-evident sealing to ensure quality patient care. This includes features like precise dosing and tamper-evident sealing, high cleanliness, and automated controls.

In contrast, small items like batteries and electronic components require strong and difficult-to-open packaging, which can be achieved with clamshell or rigid blister packs.

For food products, speed of filling is critical, as well as the materials used, to ensure efficient packaging with moisture and oxygen protection.

High-Speed Blister Packaging Machines are perfect for high turnover food preparation, offering flexibility in using different materials to suit preservation requirements.

The type of machine you choose will depend on the specific industry or product you're working with. For example, cosmetics or auto spare parts may require unique packaging solutions with flexibility and multi-functionality.

Here are some key factors to consider when selecting a blister packaging machine:

Sedpharma is a leading pharmaceutical equipment manufacturer, with a 5,500 m² factory and over 100 R&D and office personnel.

Their key products include blister packaging machines for pharmaceuticals, customizable blister packaging solutions for tablets and capsules, and medical device blister packaging equipment.

Sedpharma focuses on blister packaging machinery specifically for pharmaceutical applications, founded in 2012.

Their machines, like the SED-GP Series, support high-speed blister packaging for ALU-PVC and ALU-ALU materials, with production speeds reaching up to 14,400 plates per hour.

Their equipment meets industry standards for dosing precision and contamination control.

Sedpharma holds ISO9001 and CE certifications, and prioritizes meeting FDA regulatory requirements.

Their equipment is designed for products like tablets and capsules, making them a reliable choice for quality blister packaging solutions in the pharmaceutical sector.

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