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Unbreakable Blister Packs and Industrial Design

By Ed Foster, Section The Gripelog
Posted on Mon Apr 24, 2006 at 12:12:28 AM PDT

There's an odd thing you've probably noticed about a lot of the products you and I buy. Quite often the part that is most resistant to destruction - in fact, the one piece you can't seem to dent no matter what you do - is the blister package the actual product you wanted comes in. This peculiar aspect of modern technology recently led one reader to some interesting thoughts about the current state of industrial design.

The reader writes:

"Okay, this is a minor annoyance; but it's pervasive. I knocked my Logitech wireless mouse off the desk the other week and the left button is now very stiff. After a few times wedging a screwdriver blade under it and levering the plastic button top out and to the left with minimal and only temporary improvement, I decided to cut my losses and buy a new one. I stopped at Staples on the way home and emerged with a new Logitech cordless mini mouse in a $35 plastic clamshell. Then the fun began.

"Even with heavy shears the plastic was difficult to cut. I got the clamshell open without slicing my hand on the sharp edged heavy plastic -- if I had, I'd be spending this time talking to a hungry personal injury lawyer. Then came the real fun, getting the mouse itself out of the raised blister. Because the sides of the mouse are concave, a rather useless nod to ergonomic design lost on all but those with the tiniest of hands, and one that was never missed on the previous mouse, the blister gripped it tightly. The heavy plastic would not flex enough to allow the mouse to pop out, so I ended up having to wedge the shears along the sides and cut up the sides of the blister until it was freed. Despite taking care, the mouse is now scratched along the side. No big thing, just a near final insult.

"The topper was when I went to install the battery: the polarity diagram for which direction to insert the battery, and various other information is printed in light gray against a medium gray background. I'm sure the industrial designer -- perhaps a dropout from the Rhode Island School of Boombox Design -- thought it looked just great, but on a functional plane it's a total flop.

"What is with these people? It's not just Logitech. Remember the 'ovoid Hell' 1998 Taurus station wagon, or any of the current 'rising belt line' styled cars and vans with the limited rear quarter visibility that entails. Not to mention the 'Biff Bimbo, Steroid Abuser' jawline so many cars feature today -- the Dodge Magnum suffers from both Biff Bimboism AND rising belt line disease. Has industrial design gone the way of Microsoft software design?"

< Coming to Terms With Simplicity | Oklahoma!!! >

Unbreakable Blister Packs and Industrial Design | 48 comments (48 topical) | Post A Comment

Conspiracy theory[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#1)
by James Farmer on Mon Apr 24, 2006 at 02:00:48 AM PDT

I think the almost-impossible-to-open packaging is something we will all recognise, although it does seem to be getting steadily more and more resilient. My theory: companies hope you'll think you won't be able to return a defective item if you've had to absolutely destroy the packaging to get it out again. There doesn't seem to be any other logical explanation for it...

[ Reply to This ]

Shoplifting[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#2)
by Anonymous User on Mon Apr 24, 2006 at 04:51:36 AM PDT

I think the idea behind it is to try and make it difficult for people to open up the package in the store and pocket the item, which explains why it is so hard to open even with scissors. Stores had a lot of problems with people using razors or pocket knives to slit open the blister packs. That being said, it is still a pain in the neck to open one.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

It's a symtom of a larger problem[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#3)
by Anonymous User on Mon Apr 24, 2006 at 09:05:59 AM PDT

The blister-packs as theft prevention is just one more example of how honest people are constantly forced to compensate for the dishonest/greedy/criminal people in our society. Some other examples:

DRM - Honest people get burned by defective software DRM. Pirates have no issues.

Insurance - Fraud forces rates higher. I think it's much worse than we are told.

Airport security - No need to explain that one.

Video surveillance - Loss of privacy for everyone just to catch a few criminals.

Other tamper prevention devices - Remember when food containers did not have tons of protective seals? Now we live with this to avoid getting poisoned. (This seeemed to start with the Tylenol murders.)

The fear of liability lawsuits has forced a whole related set of changes on our society which is a world unto itself.

I'm sure there are many other examples I can't think of at the moment.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

You forgot one...[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#4)
by Anonymous User on Mon Apr 24, 2006 at 10:02:40 AM PDT

I agree with you wholeheartedly about the fact that the honest/reasonable people of the world suffer because of those who "figured a way around the system". However, you forgot the #1 example of this: spam. Much of the spam we receive is right in line with the idea that "you can't cheat an honest man". We're offered cut-rate software, dates with horny others, and the opportunity to work with unknown overseas officials to take advantage of bank errors. If nobody ever responded to spam, there wouldn't be any. (Or, more probably, we would see a great reduction and a change in the content.) Having managed a couple audio stores, I can tell you that shoplifters can and will steal just about anything you haven't riveted in place. We used to have to keep the tonearm heads and cartridges behind the counter so they wouldn't disappear between turntable demos. Furthermore, there are two other factors that drive packaging, and they are the same as in grocery stores. The manufacturers want shelf space and visibility, so they make the items big and configure the packages so they can't be stacked easily. The manufacturers also don't want damaged package goods, so they make sure that the package will hold up to shipping, storage, and handling/examination by the shoppers.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

It is an antitheivery device[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#13)
by Anonymous User on Tue Apr 25, 2006 at 11:23:04 AM PDT

If you don't understand the need for such tamper resistentant packaging then you haven't worked in retail. At one point in time packaging was designed to make it easy for the consumer to remove the purchased item. The downside was it also made it child's play for a theif to steal the item by removing it from their package. As theivery increased they had to take steps to keep their losses at acceptable levels. To a large extent this has been successful. These days instead of trying to steal the contents of the boxes they steal the receipt, walk in the store, pick their tiems off the shelf and then go ask fo a refund. So guess what, the next step is that they are working on new forms of your receipt to make thwart this new problem. impossible. If you can figure out how to get rid of dishonesty then we might be able to get rid of such hassles like this.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Not Just Mice & CDs[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#40)
by Tourette on Sat Apr 29, 2006 at 05:50:10 AM PDT

While I'm sure that there is some theft of cold cuts, freshness, tamper resistance and "convenience" is behind the packaging of food, e. g., the ubiquitous ZipPak and the seals that are broken by pulling a finger hole in the pourers of certains canned liquids. But nine out of ten times the "Pull Here" of a ZipPak still leaves me searching for scissors to complete the job, and the finger hole is barely big enough for a small pinky - which doesn't have the strength to do the job - leaving me searching for pliers to finish the job.

I think every idiot who designs these packaging nightmares should be required to spend a day repeatedly opening his or her design. In no time we'd have theft and tamper resistance that's also user friendly.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Likewise...[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#45)
by Reziac on Tue May 02, 2006 at 09:29:47 PM PDT

I've sliced my hand a number of times on those @#$%^! fliptop soup cans, despite being VERY careful -- problem is, to hang onto the can without it flying across the room, and still get the damn thing open, your hand winds up in the line of fire for the top as it comes open.

Not very different from the @!#$%! industrial-strength blister packs (I've been cut by a few of those too), tho those usually add insult to injury by placing vital printed info on a card that you must slice all to hell in the process of getting the blister pack open without killing yourself or destroying the other contents.

I've made myself a promise that next time I slice myself on ANY such packaging, I *am* going to find myself a hungry personal-injury lawyer.
~REZ~
[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Privacy Shmivacy[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#15)
by LANMan on Tue Apr 25, 2006 at 11:40:22 AM PDT

Video surveillance - Loss of privacy for everyone just to catch a few criminals.

What lost privacy? Are they installing cameras in your bathroom? Is there one near your home that peeks over your fence at you nude sunbathing? Can't duck down behind the display cases anymore to pick a greener? Can't dismiss those feelings that security guards are secretly poking fun at you in some backroom? Get over it! You're out in public, everyone can see you anyway.

Unless,... you're trying to do something surreptitious where a camera might discover you as one of the few criminals.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

There are some areas where privacy is expected[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#28)
by TonyK on Wed Apr 26, 2006 at 03:57:43 AM PDT

There are areas, even in public, where courts have confirmed a person can expect "reasonable" privacy. One is changing stalls of fitting rooms. Others are public restrooms.

Stores have been sued and employees arrested/prosecuted for violating these "reasonable" areas.

Society has created a class of people, through advertising, TV and other media outlets, that says its okay to take what you want. The criminal mindset is "I'm okay, you're not okay" and that is how some justify their behavior.

About the only way to start to reverse the problem is to find a way to get parents to raise children with good ideals and morals. If the parents do not have them, then it becomes difficult for the child to see or be better, though not impossible.

Peace,

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

bug off it's a reply dammit![ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#39)
by Anonymous User on Fri Apr 28, 2006 at 01:01:18 AM PDT

This is why those areas either don't have exits (except back into the store), or have emergency-only exits that set off alarms. Because they can't put cameras there. Some places also forbid taking unpurchased items in there, though that would present a problem for someone shopping unaccompanied.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

The cameras are there...[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#41)
by Anonymous User on Sat Apr 29, 2006 at 07:27:15 AM PDT

You're mistaken - they certainly are allowed to put security cameras in places like dressing rooms. Some stores actually post signs to this effect, believing it is an additional deterrent. I don't feel any better knowing that security cameras are being monitored by FEMALE attendants! It's offensive, but I don't have the time or energy to write the store manager when I know it's not going to make a difference.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

this is not a new thread[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#43)
by Anonymous User on Sun Apr 30, 2006 at 06:03:39 AM PDT

I'm not mistaken; TonyK apparently is. Actually I find your claim rather unbelievable. Where are you, the Voyeurist States of America or someplace equally lacking in civil rights? Here in Canada they definitely can't stick cameras in such places without causing a major scandal, lawsuits, and possibly criminal charges.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

FEMALE attendants[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#44)
by Anonymous User on Sun Apr 30, 2006 at 06:05:13 AM PDT

aren't much of a reassurance if you're a MALE trying on a pair of pants. Or if you're a lesbian. Or bi. Or...

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Everything is not about criminals[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#26)
by Anonymous User on Tue Apr 25, 2006 at 06:00:02 PM PDT

While many things like copy protection and DRM are incorporated as purported anti-theft measures the real objective is to limit the rights of legitimate users. Copyright law has a doctrine of first sale - basically, the copyright holder has only very limited rights to control what you do with something that is copyrighted after you have purchased it. While some of this is about your fair use rights - in reality copyright holder only retain those rights explicitly granted by copyright law - they do not OWN copyrighted works, they own the copyrights. Copyright holders do not want you to be able to record TV shows and play them later, rip your own music and play it on your computer or in your iPod, or cell phone, ... Or atleast they do nto want you to be able to do those things without paying them even more. Contrary to popular belief most of the efforts of the entertainment industry are not targeted at stopping criminals but at preventing and criminalizing ways of using content you purchased that no one has even thought of yet.
As to the rest of the rant on criminals, there is no more crime today than 25 years ago. A significantly larger percnetage of the population is spending a significantly longer amount of time in jail for less and less significant offenses - the retail industry would advocate capitol punishment for shoplifters is it could despite the fact that more retail theft goes out the back door than the front.
Do not misundertand me - criminals need punished for their crimes, but blaming criminals for all kinds of changes that are targeted at finding new ways to bilk more money from honest people, is itself dishonest.
Further what is wrong with corporate responsibility. Despite rhetoric to the contrary, product liability verdicts against well designed products by reputable manufacturers are rare. The real threat is large verdicts against companies that market dangerous junk, or that decide the cost to fix a problem that kills or maims people is higer than the cost of killing and maiming.
Credit card companies railed congress into exempting credit card debt from normal bankruptcy provisions. In the event of a bankruptcy the credit card company is more likely to get repaid than the bank that did its due diligence before issuing your home equity loan. Yet hardly a week goes buy that I do not receive another creidt card in the mail. Just safely disposing of them is an ordeal. While I may receive more than my share of unsolicited instant credit - because I am a good risk, high rate cards are issued like water to people with no possible hope of paying. Loaning money to beople you know can not pay at exhorbitant interest is usery. We are supposed to be locking shylocks and loan sharks up, not doing their dirty work for them.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

These could cause liability suits[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#34)
by Anonymous User on Thu Apr 27, 2006 at 05:28:27 AM PDT

I have cut myself on the plastic edges and with the scissors and knives I have used trying to open these infernal packages. I would think the risk of a really serious injury (especially with a razor knife) is not out of the question.

Someone with weak hands like children, the elderly, and a number of (small-handed) women would be more likely at risk since such efforts can push them past keeping "firm" control of the cutting tool.

ROC

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Idiots[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#5)
by Anonymous User on Mon Apr 24, 2006 at 09:32:37 PM PDT

These days, anyone trying to open a package with a penknife in the middle of the store is going to be caught on candid camera anyway, so what's the point?

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Blister Packs[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#7)
by Anonymous User on Tue Apr 25, 2006 at 09:28:42 AM PDT

I wonder if the packaging is so tough to protect the item in shipping. Looking at most blister packs, the are shaped as a bubble of protection around the item.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

That's true[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#31)
by Anonymous User on Wed Apr 26, 2006 at 09:37:17 AM PDT

There was a detailed article in the newspaper about thiis problem, and much of the pakaging design is due to long shipping from places like China, so it has to be sturdy. Anti-theft is also a primary reason.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Marketing opportunity[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#6)
by Anonymous User on Tue Apr 25, 2006 at 09:27:17 AM PDT

I'm sure there are marketing departments out there right now figuring out how to spin "easy opening" packaging as a marketing differentiator for their product over the competitor's.

[ Reply to This ]

Color schemes[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#9)
by Rey on Tue Apr 25, 2006 at 10:39:43 AM PDT

The comment about color schemes chosen by imbeciles struck a chord. For years we've been seeing knuckleheads design web pages with black letters on a dark blue background, or the reverse, which are all but unreadable. One of the alternative weekly newspapers here is devoted to 90% headline screens - light gray on white. Hard to read and a design disaster. Nearly every item made of plastic which requires instructions has the instructions in white-on-white, raised agate type (5 pt or smaller.) Maybe kids' eyes can read it without putting a strong light on it; no one else can. 40 years ago industrial employees knew much more about ergonomics than they know today.
Rey in Virginia
[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Poor Color Design[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#24)
by bobackerman on Tue Apr 25, 2006 at 04:21:24 PM PDT

As a color blind person, when I see a dark color on an dark background, regardless of which is a little lighter in color, I cannot read it. Websites, packaging, magazine ads and other items that use poor color selection quickly gets passed over my me. Maybe I am missing something important but hopefully companies will someday recognize that they are ignoring a part of the population that cannot read their ads, signs and packaging due to their lack of color blindness.

Color blindmess, regardless of the degree, is very common. I bet you know somebody that is color blind.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Unable to Open Package[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#8)
by glenn354 on Tue Apr 25, 2006 at 10:19:50 AM PDT

The irritating thing to me is that I may have a question about the contents such as, "is it a USB or PS/2 connector", or "does it have a power brick that has to be direct connected to the Power bar", or "is the connector male or female". I can't simply open the box and look in. If it is what I want, I take the opened package, if not, I carefully return the contents, close the box and return it to the shelf. And of course, when you can find help (oops, I mean a store clerk), they have no idea what is in the package.

[ Reply to This ]

New tools[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#10)
by Anonymous User on Tue Apr 25, 2006 at 11:00:54 AM PDT

This is such a pervasive problem there are now special tools being introduced that are designed to make opening the blister packs much easier. Here's one of them! http://www.myopenx.com/home.htm There is at least one more but I can't remember it's name. Both were shown on Good Morning American a few weeks back.

[ Reply to This ]

Re: New tools[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#11)
by Anonymous User on Tue Apr 25, 2006 at 11:17:22 AM PDT

That's just sad that someone has to come up with a new tool so we can open these blister packages.

Now I have to go find that tool. <g>

I have a 7 year old son and half the toys he gets (just had his birthday) seem to come in those blister packs. I too have torn up my hands trying to get them open. And everytime I open one, I wonder if the store will take it back if the product doesn't work.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

opening the openx package...[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#14)
by Anonymous User on Tue Apr 25, 2006 at 11:36:28 AM PDT

When I first saw an openx-like tool in Staples, it too was packaged in a hard to open plastic package! I asked the salesperson what I was supposed to use to open the package with the tool, but his blank stare indicated that the irony was lost on him.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

RE: opening the openx package...[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#23)
by Anonymous User on Tue Apr 25, 2006 at 03:16:30 PM PDT

I recall an advertisement for one of these products declaring that its packaging would be the last one which would give you this problem.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Re: New Tools[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#37)
by Anonymous User on Thu Apr 27, 2006 at 04:54:00 PM PDT

I have a cheap soldering iron I use to cut those plastic packages open...sure, you shouldn't do it in a poorly ventilated area or near a smoke detector, but it works like a charm.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Jesus H![ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#38)
by Anonymous User on Fri Apr 28, 2006 at 12:58:27 AM PDT

That's like swatting a fly with a tactical nuke. Sheesh!

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Nukage[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#42)
by Anonymous User on Sat Apr 29, 2006 at 11:07:59 AM PDT

Well, yes, it is...but you gotta admit, it IS effective...

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

A possible solution[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#12)
by Anonymous User on Tue Apr 25, 2006 at 11:20:22 AM PDT

After buying the product if everyone asked to see the managers of the stores and asked them to open the product maybe that would get some change. Also, I wonder if the CEO's of any of the firms that package their stuff this way have ever had to personally open any of these.

[ Reply to This ]

What a Great Country[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#16)
by VonSkippy on Tue Apr 25, 2006 at 11:43:20 AM PDT

What a great Country where the biggest problem is that people are to inept to open packaging.

Wow, I guess it's true that USA no longer tops the number of graduating Engineers (both China and India now lead). Apparently that has trickled down to the average consumer who is now too stupid to open stuff.

And I'd up the Prozac dose if you think the primary reason for sturdy packaging is anti-theft, it's anti-breakage that the manufacture cares about (why would they care about store loss?).

And lets all whine about not being able to figure out the polarity of a battery. After all, rocket science is not a common skill, and we all know how hard it is to put in a battery, see if it works, and if not, flip the battery around.

At one point, the Gripe Line focused on true problems, now it's seems to be a soapbox for stupid whiny people.

[ Reply to This ]

Battery polarity may not be rocket science...[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#18)
by bulova on Tue Apr 25, 2006 at 12:24:55 PM PDT

but the idea that you can drop in a battery, determine if the item works and, if not, flip the battery around is disingenuous.

On all-too-many small-electronic items, which have a rather inexpensive (read: cheap) set of integrated electronic components (read: computer chips), the mere introduction of a reverse polarity current is enough to burn out one or more of those chips and ruin the item.

There are too many instructions warning not to mis-install the battery/ies. Clearly labelling the correct polarity in a user-readable format seems just as trivial as you seem to think "trying one, then changing it if it doesn't work" is. The responsibility for doing so must rest squarely where it belongs: in the hands of (read: design formed by) the product engineer.

Repeating the bottom line: It is trivially easy for product usage details to be marked clearly and legibly, and it is the responsibility of the product maker to ensure that it is.

--
Bartlet: Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change the world. Do you know why?

Will: ...That's the only thing that ever has
[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Name One[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#21)
by VonSkippy on Tue Apr 25, 2006 at 01:08:47 PM PDT

Name one device that you know (not think) will be damaged by a wrongly inserted battery.

Diodes cost about a penny, anything that can be hurt by the low voltage supplied by a battery most certainly has a diode in place to prevent said damage.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

The need to complain[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#22)
by Anonymous User on Tue Apr 25, 2006 at 02:31:13 PM PDT

VonSkippy - Why don't you go take your smug attitude somewhere else! I'll bet you are so perfect that you never have problems with anything! Seems like you like to whine about "whiners"!

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

He has a good point...[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#27)
by Anonymous User on Tue Apr 25, 2006 at 11:11:30 PM PDT

Name one.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Name one[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#33)
by Anonymous User on Wed Apr 26, 2006 at 03:07:37 PM PDT

Canon Power Winder A2. Very expensive, very dead. Diode drops are a killer in low voltage power sources. Pointless speculation. Just make insertion requirements clear.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Diodes aren't a good answer[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#36)
by LasVegan on Thu Apr 27, 2006 at 10:46:43 AM PDT

A diode causes about a .7 volt drop. When your supply voltage is say 2.4 volts (two NiCad batteries) that's a big loss in power.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Polarity markings for batteries[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#35)
by LasVegan on Thu Apr 27, 2006 at 10:45:27 AM PDT

And why should you have to wear your glasses to change a battery or risk burning out the device?

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Whiny people[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#29)
by Anonymous User on Wed Apr 26, 2006 at 04:33:52 AM PDT

1) No one has said anything about this being the biggest problem. In fact, at the top the OP said "this is a minor annoyance".

2) The comments are about the difficulty of opening the package. Only a truly negative person could somehow get from that to "people are to (sic) inept to open packaging".

3) The battery point is itself minor, but does point out poor product design which seems to extend through many products in many areas not as easily resolved as battery polarity.

4) I'm sure somewhere in your post (which frankly sounded more than a bit whiny itself) there's a constructive point you were trying to make, but the self-righteous tone managed to obscure the point.

I will agree that this particular post doesn't seem to fit in with the normal gripes that we see on the Gripe Line. If that was your point, it could have been made in a less nasty way.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

What about WASTE?[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#17)
by Anonymous User on Tue Apr 25, 2006 at 11:43:27 AM PDT

One thing that has not been mentioned here is the incredible WASTE of this practice! These packaging materials are rarely recyclable. There is often as much plastic in the packaging as in the product! Plastic waste is a luxury we can no longer afford as the age of petroleum passes mid-point, and cheap plastics will soon be a thing of the past.

[ Reply to This ]

Anti-Theft, Damage Control & Looks Cool[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#20)
by Anonymous User on Tue Apr 25, 2006 at 12:54:31 PM PDT

The idea is to control theft & control damage to the product. Many times I would like to look in the box and check plugs, instruction, etc... But you cant . If someone wants to steal it the will bring their own razor knife. Thats what I use to open the packages in my house. Because I have cut my hands so many times. But let me give you another reason they use the type of blister packs they do... Style. It has to look cool on the shelf. Blister packs do that. It's better to look good than to be functional. Designers and Marketers want to flash something cool at you. That's why commercials are made up of 30 - 1/2 second long clips (for a 15 sec. spot). They never just show you the product and tell you way it's good or better than the other products. It's looks cool, hip, & trendy. I dont really have a problem with blister packs. I just know I need to use a razor knife. Even scissirs are not a very good way to open them. A perforated "Tear Here" edge would be nice. Mike

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

And another thing![ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#19)
by Anonymous User on Tue Apr 25, 2006 at 12:46:49 PM PDT

To add to the pile: What about kids toys that have like 97 different tiny parts, each of which is securely fastened to the heavy cardboard backing with plastic-coated 14ga solid wire, twisted a dozen times, tied into a knot, and covered with several pieces of tape. I have literally spent nearly a half hour with scissors, knife and wire cutters trying to completly open and dislodge a single gift!

[ Reply to This ]

The dilema each Christmas[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#32)
by jam on Wed Apr 26, 2006 at 01:38:23 PM PDT

My wife and I go back and forth every year before Christmas -- do we pre-open the gifts to our children, removing all these twist ties, etc, so the next morning the kids can play with the toys as soon as they unwrap them, or do we not. The problem with opening them is that then the attractive packaging is ruined, and we need to find another box to wrap the gift in.

Its awful--when you choose to not pre-open the gift, the kids are forced to wait for what seems like an eternity before they can play with their new gift.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Plastic Packaging[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#25)
by bobackerman on Tue Apr 25, 2006 at 04:30:22 PM PDT

Like everybody I am frustrated by the plastic packaging most products come in now. But I need to mention a company that has a different approach.

A company called IOGear sells products in plastic packs and I recently got a KVM switch for home from them. On the back of the packaging there were small slits in the packing that allowed me to insert the tip from a pair of sissors and snip the sections between the slits which resulted in a flap that can be pulled down and the product removed. In less that a minute I had opened the package and removed the product.

At least one company is getting it right.

[ Reply to This ]

Same applies to over the counter meds[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#30)
by Anonymous User on Wed Apr 26, 2006 at 08:44:39 AM PDT

You must have been in this situation... You've got a headache as part of your cold. It's so bad, your eyes hurt. You turn for relief to your Sinus and Cold tablets, and you discover they are firmly ensconced in a blister pack. Ostensibly, you should be able to peel the sticker from the back of the package, pierce the foil, and then consume the medicine. But, peeling the foil requires the manual dexterity of Houdini. If you pierce the foil with anything but a scalpel, the capsules get broken into half a dozen pieces, and end up flying to the floor. My dogs have gotten more headache relief than I have in such situations.

[ Reply to This ]

Strange[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#51)
by Edward H on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 11:28:45 PM PDT

I agree that it's really strange that nothing works as well as the shell it comes in. The products are often of lousy quality and that goes for many companies.
Edward, Web Programmer currently working on the food for diabetes project.
[ Reply to This ]

lychee[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#52)
by rickman on Sun Jun 08, 2008 at 07:44:50 PM PDT

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[ Reply to This ]

noman[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#53)
by rickman on Sun Jun 08, 2008 at 08:11:21 PM PDT

Unbreakable Blister Packs and Industrial Design | 48 comments (48 topical) | Post A Comment

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