dang rigid plastic clamshell packaging

[LCHIEN]

Where can i register a complaint about those darn blister packs that stuff comes in these days. Not the blister packs that pills come in. More like what they call rigid plastic packaging or rigid plastic clamshells or oysters.


I know its supposed to make them tamper resistant but it makes it impossible to examine the items and read the directions or specifications before buying and also nearly impossible to open. Also makes it hard to return the item in "unopened condition".

It take me major use of destructive implements from the toolbox to get them open. I don't know how other people of lesser means (meaning tools) do it. Apparently lots of people get injured. I know it raises my blood pressure at least 20 points every time I encounter one.

Sorry. Rant off. Some stuff found on the 'net:

http://www.wikihow.com/Open-Rigid-Pl...ackages-Safely

Clamshells can make products impossible to extract with bare hands. Some attempts at grappling with knives and scissors have led to amputated fingertips and severed tendons. "The degree of injuries can be pretty severe, depending on the frustration of getting a package open," says Melissa Barton, an emergency room physician at Sinai-Grace Hospital in Detroit.
She sees at least one patient each week -- more around Christmas -- suffer cuts and worse, usually from box cutters and other tools used to puncture and pry open the packaging. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated that there were some 6,500 emergency room visits related to plastic packaging in 2004.

http://www.smartplanet.com/news/hous...y-insiders.htm

[Tom Slick]

you, my friend, are suffering from wrap rage.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrap_rage

It is the real term for what you experienced. Clam Shell packaging is the worst.

[cabinetman]

Use this instead of a utility knife, machete, hedge trimmer, chainsaw, circular saw, or that new bowie knife.
.

[rcp612]

I would have replied quicker but,,,,,,,,I had to make a trip to the shop for a utility knife to open a new box of cereal........

[crokett]

I use a utility knife and if they won't take it back after I've opened it I won't shop there. I cut 3 sides so that the package opens, well, like a clamshell.

[jhart]

I generally use a razor blade or a utility knife. The reference from C-man looked pretty neat, but I'd probably never have it in the area ineed to have it in to open the clamshell. I've got utility knives everywhere!!!

[jking]

I usually use heavy duty scissors or kitchen shears. They allow cutting the plastic in a controlled manner. I've used utility knives, but, always feel like I need kevlar gloves when I do.

[smorris]

No tool is really owned until it has drawn blood, the packaging just helps shorten the time it takes. A couple days ago I blooded a forstner bit before I even got it out of the packaging thus assuring that the shop gods were appeased before I started boring 2" holes through 4 inches of padauk.

[jziegler]

Use this instead of a utility knife, machete, hedge trimmer, chainsaw, circular saw, or that new bowie knife.
.

Does that one come in a plastic clamshell package? Around Christmas this past year, I kept on seeing package openers in the seasonal section at HD where they had all the tools they want you to buy as gifts. And, of course, it was in one of those stupid packages.

Jim

[LarryG]

Back when plastic clamshell packaging was starting to come into vogue, some comedian had a bit about how someone had invented the perfect tool for cutting open the clamshells. So he ordered one. When he got it, it was packed inside a plastic clamshell ...

I don't know whether it has to do with efficiency in manufacturing or with the subsequent recycling of the materials, but it seems to me the composition of the plastic has changed significantly from what it used to be. You used to be able to tear the stuff with your hands (I'm talking 20, 30 years ago) but now it takes a nuclear blast to make any kind of dent at all.

[Kristofor]

I think we're paying more for the heavier plastic, and doing so at the store's request. 30 years ago there weren't anti-theft sensors at every door with matching tags inside packages. Back then the packaging was to protect and merchandise (hang from pegs, stand on the shelf, etc.) the product.

These days that's still part of the picture, but it's also there to make it hard for the shoplifters to either take the product and leave the package or pull the beeper tags out. Ease of opening is not positive attribute under that scenario.

Edit: I think that ultimately the retailers are rational, if it wasn't helping with theft, then I'm sure they'd like to save every penny on cheaper and cheaper packaging, so that first sentence wasn't meant to imply that the actual product cost with overhead was higher, just the packaging component.

[mschrank]

The worst is kid's toys. Picture this:
It's Christmas. Imagine little Abby's joy when she opens that "My Pretty Pony" set she wanted....the one with 3 ponies, various grooming implements, and a heart-shaped plastic case to carry it all in.

Getting the blister pack open is just the first step. Once inside, each pony is secured to the cardboard backing with 4-5 twist ties. You can't just untwist them, because they have a piece of tape over the twist that must be removed first. Each grooming implement is secured with a piece of tape and 2 twist ties. The case is secured with an actual plastic screw. And all the while, little Abby is anxiously jumping up and down with anticipation screaming "Open it Daddy!"

Now, before gift openin begins, I have on hand a utility knife (with fresh blade), a pair of needle nose pliers, and wire cutters (for the twist ties).

[pelligrini]

Sounds like a good business opportunity. A little kiosk set up on the way out of a store with some masochist there willing to tackle packaging for a small fee.

[cwsmith]

I understand your frustration, this kind of packaging is one of my pet peeves. Not only do you risk loosing a finger or worse trying to get the package open, but the sharp edges of most of this kind of plastic can also give you a severe laceration if not careful.

I've actually gone to the extend of taking it to my little Ryobi bandsaw in order to cut open two sides so I can extract the product.

IMO, this kind of package goes well beyond pilfer protection, but it also renders the package "non-returnable" in many cases.

One question that I don't see raised here is: How many barrels of oil are used in the U.S. each year to make this stuff? And, is it biodegradable or even recyclable?

CWS

[williwatt]

Here is the tool that I use that really works well due to the offset of the blades. It also has a knife cutter and a small Phillips head screw driver.

http://www.enjoyzibra.com/openit/