Retailers adopt nonlethal packaging

[Chris Nahr]

The New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/15/technology/internet/15packaging.html?_r=2&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1228381355-Rw4FWl/0/VUrRErOZgv/Yw) reports on a backlash against indestructible plastic retail packages.

A number of retailers and manufacturers have a gift for holiday shoppers: product packaging that will not result in lacerations and stab wounds.

The companies, including Amazon.com, Sony, Microsoft and Best Buy, have begun to create alternatives to the infuriating plastic “clamshell” packages and cruelly complex twist ties that make products like electronics and toys almost impossible for mere mortals to open without power tools. [...]

In Amazon’s “frustration-free packaging” initiative involving Mattel, its subsidiary Fisher-Price, Microsoft and Transcend, an electronics maker, the companies will ship some of their best-selling products to Amazon in cardboard boxes that don’t fight back. [...]

Microsoft recently unveiled an unusual container for the Explorer computer mice it sells at Best Buy. The mouse looks typically imprisoned in its package at first glance. But the container actually has a plastic zipper on each side — inspired by the packaging of food items, Microsoft said — with blue arrows that guide buyers into easily unlocking their purchase.

Sony, meanwhile, has started an ambitious internal project it optimistically calls “death of the clamshell.” The electronics giant is developing three packaging prototypes it plans to test in the coming months at Best Buy and Wal-Mart Stores. One uses an adhesive that is easy to pry open but makes a loud Velcro-like noise — intended to deter thieves.

[Nellie]

I've never understood the need to encase a small product of some description in roughly 2 to three times the amount of plastic and several acres of Trees worth of Cardboard so the thought that someone has finally invented a carboard box is worthy of a cheer.

[Robert Sharp]

Wasn't it originally theft protection, which is particularly worthless when buying something online.

[arctangent]

Packaging exists to inform you, the ever finicky customer, that your new product is clean, pristine, and free of cooties and the grubby paw-prints of lesser humans.

[Griddle]

Having 2 Daughters, I have to say I'm happy to hear this. To get a Barbi out of the goddamn box, you have to remove about 8 twist ties, 4 rubber bands, and for some reason, the asshats take the hair, and sew it to a goddamn piece of plastic. That, and everything under the sun is in those plastic welded clamshell dealies, screw those things, and guy that invented him, he should be sealed inside one with a dozen badgers. >:(

You know things are retarted when they had to fabricate something to open the damned clamshell dealies.
http://housewares.about.com/od/kitchenwareaccessories/gr/openxreview.htm

[Robert Sharp]

Yeah, the Barbie stuff is particularly awful.

[Bahimiron]

On one hand, there's the temptation to mock. On the other hand, having bought a 360 controller at Target, I can understand how someone could lacerate themselves in an attempt to get it out of that fucking blister pack.

[krayzkrok]

Microsoft recently unveiled an unusual container for the Explorer computer mice it sells at Best Buy. The mouse looks typically imprisoned in its package at first glance. But the container actually has a plastic zipper on each side — inspired by the packaging of food items, Microsoft said — with blue arrows that guide buyers into easily unlocking their purchase.

Oh great, yes I've just opened one of those not 5 minutes ago. Result: I sliced my finger on the plastic serrations as I tore it open. It must have seemed like a good idea at the time though!

[Skipper]

Blister packs and clamshells suck. And any attempt to make them "easier to open" has failed. Just get rid of the damned things and go with something else. I can remember many times cutting myself opening something, if not on the plastic itself, then with the knife or scissors or whatever tool I was trying to use to open it.

Haven't people been seriously injured with plastic packaging?

[EvilIdler]

Finally, a bloodless xmas! Wait..I'm pagan :(

[malphigian]

Wasn't it originally theft protection, which is particularly worthless when buying something online.

Yes. Like it says in the article, it was a combination of theft protection and still being able to display the product in the store.

I'm surprised it's taken so long for companies to start creating two SKUs (one in the clamshell for in-store and one without for online). I guess they didn't think they were losing any sales to it before now.

[Staff Sergeant]

I just always used scissors to cut the top off then cut down the side of the packaging. It's a pain in the ass, but I've never injured myself opening anything.

[Houngan]

Every day necessity: A sharp pocketknife. Emphasis on sharp.

Christmas necessity: wire snips, for the aforementioned twist ties on everything.

H.

[Griddle]

Every day necessity: A sharp pocketknife. Emphasis on sharp.

Christmas necessity: wire snips, for the aforementioned twist ties on everything.

H.

I got my wife a leatherman tool for this. Two birds, one stone. :)

[Gunmetal]

Oh great, yes I've just opened one of those not 5 minutes ago. Result: I sliced my finger on the plastic serrations as I tore it open. It must have seemed like a good idea at the time though!

Yeah, the zipper packs are just as bad. You have to reach a finger through the hole to start the tear, and as you open it you're creating a jagged saw blade. This is slightly less deadly than the razor-edged bear trap of conventional plastic clamshells, but still...

[Dravalen]

I sliced my index finger to the bone trying to open a leatherman blister pack with another non-locking leatherman, woo. Lesson learned I guess, never going to try and open one of those without a locking knife or scissors.

[Timemaster Tim]

The ultimate irony. I bought a tool designed to open blister packs and clam shell packaging. You guessed it. The damn thing was in a clam shell package.

[John Many Jars]

I have one of these, and it actually works:

http://journal.drfaulken.com/open-x-dual-bladed-ez-clam-shell-knife-tool-review/

[wisefool]

Cooking scissors or Wiss utility snips.

I like the cooking ones better because they are serrated (edges seem less lethal), easier to handle. Things go through bone, they'll go through mere plastic.

Wiss tin snips are also great PC case modding tools.

[Jasper]

I used to hate these things too, before I had kids when I never had scissors. I'd figured they wouldn't work well on plastic anyway, but once I had scissors handy for kids' crafts I tried them.

They do a much better job than I'd at first expected. Just cut off all the ends; it's quick, and you can't get cut unless you're a complete klutz.

[Pogo]

Every day necessity: A sharp pocketknife. Emphasis on sharp.
The last thing I used to open a plastic clamshell was a sharp box cutter, and even that took a lot more force than it should have. The packaging was an XM receiver unit package or something like that.

[Donald L.]

I use this: Bandage Scissors (http://www.amazon.com/Bandage-Scissors-Medical-Utility-Cutting/dp/B000RB5ZLG)

[ZekeDMS]

My scissors handle just broke in my attempts to open the PS3 remote package. Granted scissors really aren't made for that crap, no device really is, I suppose, but I shouldn't be sacrificing scissors.

Also, I need scissors to open my new scissors. This is horrible 80s stand-up come to life.