Hermetically Sealed Packages (Rant)

[ken0042]

I am really starting to get annoyed with what seems like everything I buy comes in a hermetically sealed package; requiring a great deal of cutting and a lot of grief to get open. These are the hard plastic clamshell type of packages that are sealed up tighter than (insert your own metafore here.)

A few of my most recent experiences:

- I needed a utility knife for something in the house the other day. I couldn't find where I had placed them, but realized I had bought a nice utility knife last year on sale and hadn't used it. It was sealed competely, so once again I was on the hunt for something I could use to cut the package open so I could get at the cutting tool inside.

- I was driving through Saskatchewan when my MP3 player decided it was time to up and die. A moment of panic set in as I realized I also had almost no CDs in the car; but then I remembered I had my laptop with me. I could just use Windows Media player to play MP3s. I was also prepared as I had a small power inverter with me to power the laptop; it was still brand new in its package. I was missing something to cut the package open with, so I ended up spending 5 minutes with a screwdriver and a pair of plyers trying to open it.

- Today was the worst. Bought a new portable XM radio (and yes I hid is under the seat when I stopped for lunch); brought it into work to read the instructions, see if it work work in my building etc. While trying to open the package with a pair of scissors, a sharp piece of plastic jammed into my finger making a nice deep slice- the mother of all paper cuts.

Can anybody explain to me why things need to be packaged so well that it is nearly impossible to open; at least not without using power tools?

[chid]

My best guess would be so people can't open them in the store to fiddle with them..

I feel your pain though, it took me ten minutes to open up a TomTom GPS unit.

[jammies]

Preach on, brother Ken! Those packages are the instruments of the devil; I've considered investigating the patented nature of their existence, so I can track down the guy who invented them and speed his passage on to the great gig in the sky.

I am actually surprised there hasn't been a high-profile suit against a manufacturer that uses this design as yet; I am sure someone, somewhere, has seriously injured him/herself trying to open one of those pesky things.

[Bobblehead]

I agree.

There are some that, instead of being sealed, use dimples that can be pulled apart, and I like those a lot better.

I understand this is for theft deterrent, but holy cow that is a lot of packaging.

[kermitology]

You should sue! That'll teach the manufacturers not to pack stuff like that!

[icarus]

I have thought of ranting about these things on here in the past. They are dangerous as hell to open because once that plastic is torn or cut it is extremely sharp. It is a hazard to the consumer not to give them instructions on how to open it safely; one day there's going to be a negligence suit.

[Mccree]

On that note, I hate how all childerns toys are tied down by 100000 metal twist ties. It takes forever to open those bad boys.

I think home hardware has a tool designed to open those spawn of satan plastic packages. I saw it on one of those "Canadian Tire" like commericals they have.

[Pagal4321]

Originally Posted by ken0042

- Today was the worst. Bought a new portable XM radio (and yes I hid is under the seat when I stopped for lunch); brought it into work to read the instructions, see if it work work in my building etc. While trying to open the package with a pair of scissors, a sharp piece of plastic jammed into my finger making a nice deep slice- the mother of all paper cuts.

I'm sorry, but that part made me laugh the hardest.

And yes, it is pretty dangerous and difficult to open those damn things. It took me 2 pairs of scissors and a chef's knife to open my HDMI cable a few months back.

[peter12]

You guys are a bunch of chimps. All it takes is a pair of scissors.

I think manufacturers package their products in such a way to prevent spoilage or waste, which helps bring down the overall price of their product.

[Dion]

I agree that this type of packaging is a pain in the arse. Most times i use a scissor to open them.

[jydk]

edit

[dubc80]

I'm always embarassed refunding something which comes in this type of packaging.

You spend so much time ripping the darn thing to shreds to get the said item out, then realize it isn't what you need and try to put it all back together so it looks decent enough to return.

Good thing the big stores have lax return/exchange policies.

[metal_geek]

Originally Posted by jydk

There is a tool, similar to scissors I guess, that is specially designed to open hermetically sealed packages. Ironically, they are in a hermetically sealed package when you buy it. Company must have a good sence of humor!

ROFLMAO

I saw that infomercial as well and it was my very first thought when I saw the package...
________
Uggs

[Russic]

There was a comic I saw once titled "when the inventor of the blister pack dies" and the picture was of a guy in hell, encased in a blister pack. Laughed my ass off.

[Hack&Lube]

They aren't called hermetically sealed (often, there are air gaps where it's not melted together or at the hinge) packages or blister packages. Those are very different things.

They are clamshell packages. Use that when searching for cutting tools for them.

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by Mccree

On that note, I hate how all childerns toys are tied down by 100000 metal twist ties. It takes forever to open those bad boys.

I feel your pain and on a similar note I hate how every 2nd toy nowadays requires batteries.

What did one of my kids get for his birthday? A battery operated bubble blower. Seriously WTF? Wouldn't want the kid to strain himself or have fun blowing his own bubbles, would we?

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Mccree

On that note, I hate how all childerns toys are tied down by 100000 metal twist ties. It takes forever to open those bad boys.

As a man who has opened too many Transformers:



goes through twist ties like a hot knife in butter. Snip snip snip, your toy is free.

[Mccree]

Originally Posted by Bagor

I feel your pain and on a similar note I hate how every 2nd toy nowadays requires batteries.

What did one of my kids get for his birthday? A battery operated bubble blower. Seriously WTF? Wouldn't want the kid to strain himself or have fun blowing his own bubbles, would we?

I feel your pain and wonder why most take C and D battries. AA or AAA are ok as I can use them else where but C and D batteries are just stupid.

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

As a man who has opened too many Transformers:



goes through twist ties like a hot knife in butter. Snip snip snip, your toy is free.

Brillant, I never thought of that. I feel shame now. Off to home depot to pick me up a few of those bad boys. My daughters 4 birthday is coming up and god knows I will need it.

[Ironhorse]

This is the tool that you need. It cuts through the sides of those clamshell packages like a hot knife through butter:



http://www.homehardware.ca/Products/...utter_safe_cut

[Boblobla]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

This is the tool that you need. It cuts through the sides of those clamshell packages like a hot knife through butter:



http://www.homehardware.ca/Products/...utter_safe_cut

Best part about this tool? It comes in one of those packages...