<P> The main advantages of unit - dose blister packs over other methods of packing pharmaceutical products are the assurance of product / packaging integrity (including shelf - life) of each individual dose and the ability to create a compliance pack or calendar pack by printing the days of the week above each dose . </P> <P> Blister packs are created by means of a form - fill - seal process at the pharmaceutical company or designated contract packer . A form - fill - seal process means that the blister pack is created from rolls of flat sheet or film, filled with the pharmaceutical product and closed (sealed) on the same equipment . Such equipment is called a blisterline . There are two types of blister machine' design: rotary and flat - plate, depending on the mechanism for sealing the lidding foil . </P> <P> Other types of blister packs consist of carded packaging where goods such as toys, hardware, and electrical items are contained between a specially made paperboard card and clear pre-formed plastic such as PVC . The consumer can visually examine the product through the transparent plastic . The plastic shell is vacuum - formed around a mold so it can contain the item snugly . The card is colored and designed depending on the item inside, and the PVC is affixed to the card using heat and pressure to activate an adhesive (heat seal coating) on the blister card . The adhesive is strong enough so that the pack may hang on a peg, but weak enough so that the package can be easily opened (in theory). Sometimes, with large items, the card (cold seal card) has a perforated window for access . </P> <P> A hinged blister is known as a clamshell, used for a variety of products . It can be used as a security package to deter package pilferage for small high - value items, such as consumer electronics . It consists of one sheet folded over onto itself and sometimes fused at the edges . They can be securely heat sealed, making them difficult to open by hand to deter tampering . A pair of scissors or a sharp knife is often required to open them (although these are often sold in similar packages). Care must be used to safely open some of these packages, as opening it without care can result in injury; 6,000 Americans are sent to the emergency room each year by injuries suffered in opening such packages . Wrap rage is sometimes the result . </P>

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