Bisphenol-A safety ignites controversy

 Used for years for reusable polycarbonate baby bottles and water bottles, as well as in can liners, Bisphenol-A is under increasing fire on several fronts.

'Hybrid' employees maximize line productivity

 Changing technology demands and increased market competition inspire an employee program at Mission Bell Winery that gives operators and maintenance personnel greater responsibility.

Sustainable PET film forms ‘tented-blister’ three-pack

 Soap products company strives to keep environment clean with innovative multi-pack structure.

FDA rings bell for antidepressant class

 For the first time, FDA urges manufacturers to put an entire class of medications into unit-of-use packaging.

The Conference at Pack Expo Las Vegas 2003

 A comprehensive three-day seminar organized into concurrent sessions each day, this conference is packed with information about the world of packaging.

Packaging fees—closer than you think?

 Packaging take-back obligations and recovery fees have long been a part of the European packaging landscape. Now they’re coming to Ontario, Canada, and a similar program is scheduled to start in Quebec.

Conference at Pack Expo features 50-plus speakers

 Produced by the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute, the Conference at Pack Expo runs from Monday, November 4 through Wednesday, November 6. Here’s the line-up. For session abstracts, go to http://pei2002.packexpo.com.

‘Gray’ workers add black to Bonne Bell’s bottom line

 As this observer continues to move ever closer to “senior” status (already a veteran of several years with AARP), a talk with Jess Bell, vice chairman of Bonne Bell, Cleveland, OH, helps to energize both body and spirit.

Converting technologies into solutions

 CMM’s 13th biennial exposition in April plans to offer answers for converting and package printing industries, through what it calls its most comprehensive educational program ever.

For e-commerce, size does matter (sidebar)

 Capsule reviews

Merit re-tools for a global marketplace

 This medical device maker says goodbye to extra labels and replaces them with on-line, thermal-transfer printing on lidding material. Print now includes important symbols required by customers overseas.

Cap ordering goes electronic

 With the proliferation of Web sites devoted to purchasing complex packaging machinery, it seems only natural that buying closures online would be the next step.

WestPack celebrates 50 years of packaging innovation

 Featuring five specialty pavilions, including a new one for converters, WestPack 99 honors its history at the Anaheim Convention Center Sept. 28 to 30.

SouthPack '99: built for speed

 With 450 exhibits and activities for learning, SouthPack '99, May 18 to 20 in Atlanta, also recognizes the area's fascination with stock car racing.

Europe toughens packaging stance

 New 'essential requirements' will necessitate alterations to many types of packaging to avoid European sales bans.

Anheuser-Busch operators monitor 'mirrored' lines

 Packaging equipment operators on Houston's two new bottling lines evolve from 'machine watchers' to 'process monitors.'

Pack Expo week is a machinery extravaganza and more

 Swirling around Pack Expo 98 are seminars and technical conferences that round out the Pack Expo experience. Euro mandates.

Grappling with eco-fees

 Packagers shipping abroad can't afford to leave data reporting requirements and fee liabilities out of package design decisions.

Reusable PVC clamshells short-circuit waste for Lucent (sidebar)

 Bellcore rules: Setting the spec

Herbal tea marketer brews packaging improvements

 Smooth conveyor connections and a programmable logic controller accessed via touchscreen have boosted efficiency and productivity at this northern California tea marketer.