Saturday, February 23, 2008

Easy Opening - First Blood

I am astonished at how dangerous sealed plastic packaging has become.

It was one thing when I was now required to use a knife or hefty pair of scissors (metal cutters) to open a product from its throw-away plastic casing. If I didn't cut myself with the knife (not yet), I'd quickly find the plastic to be razor sharp (which HAS hurt). I'm surprised that no big product recalling law suits have resulted from that alone.

Now, I'm seeing the same plastic now in an "Easy Opening" form. The pre-perforated plastic corner DOES break nicely, but going beyond the corner is extremely difficult. The plastic is still hard and sharp, but now it's got jagged razor sharp teeth ! Each stiff triangular breakaway is extremely sharp and pointy. I was extremely careful as I tried to get at my new gadget trapped inside. I still recoiled in pain MANY times at that cautious pace.










I really like the company that made the gadget I had just ordered, but I'm positive that they've not done any usability standards or gathered any first impressions (bloody) on the customer contending with the disposable plastic shell casing. I'd love to see the CEO get his hands on one of his products, and try to open it. He'd probably be swearing his head off and looking for band aids in less than 60 seconds.
Surely some one's been sued over this by now. Any severe lacerations anyone? ANYONE?