Philip, I interpret your question to mean that some packaging is designed with other factors besides usability in mind, which can be particularly problematic for certain users.They be "poorly designed" to the extent that these factors can create greater use obstacles for certain users.

For example, clam shell packages are not necessarily poorly designed. They do precisely what they are intended to do to prevent theft at the retail shelf. More elegant solutions likely exist, but are likely more expensive for the manufacturer, and in turn, the customers. The manufacturer is making a calculated business decision.

In contrast to the clam shell example, there exist some cleverly designed child resistant drug bottle closures which provide protection from being accidentally opened by young users, but don't require great manual dexterity or physical strength like certain pill bottles can. They may require rotating the cap to align with a specific orientation of the bottle to enable easy cap removal.

These types of designs enable the manufacturer to balance the need for child protection without creating undue hardship for other users.

So, while I won't disagree with you that some package design creates issues for some users, it may not be that they are poorly designed, per se. Instead, the manufacturers may choose to value other features above usability. We may not agree with this decision, and it may actually cost the manufacturer our business as a result.

Look at this Klever Kutter. Could be appropriate solve for difficult structural packaging: http://www.kleverinnovations.net/our-products/safety-cutters/klever-kutter/

Hello Philip,
If I understand you correctly, you are seeking thoughts on package-opening tools, not rethinking packaging itself?

I for one enjoy the excuse to flip out my fancy pants folding knife, though if I’m honest a regular drop-point shaped knife isn’t as ideal for cutting a plastic bubble as, say, a box cutter, or a hook-shaped tool with a point and the inner radius of the hook sharpened so that you can pierce the plastic and the remaining plastic slides along the inside of the hook.

The Swiss Army MiniChamp has such a hook tool, and it’s perfect, but that tool has many other tools that aren’t needed regularly. Also, $40 MSRP is expensive for the quality of steel in their tools and expensive compared to a box cutter.

Hey Philip,

I personally think that the Can opener would be the ideal and easiest tool to open plastic wrapped products.

Compared to scissors and cutters, it is not harmful and pretty much everyone knows how to use it. It is an old tool that can be found in most homes. The person just needs to place it properly on the edge of the package.

Here's a simple video that shows that : https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3WHRr1w05pM

Its a great question, the elderly versus young is a real challenge as is accessing the contents on occasion! There are many ways to create "easy open" features - looking at the packs differently in terms the structure and/or opening the packs is always a great option too.
We'd love to discuss these issues more widely, there really are so many ways to address the perceived issues!!