Unilever tries self-piercing closure

The closure when screwed down by the consumer pierces the aluminum foil inner seal that’s applied by conduction sealing.

The polypropylene one-piece closure was created by Bericap’s R&D Center of Dijon France. The flip-top one-hand-dispensing closure eliminates the need for the consumer to remove the closure and peel off the inner seal. The closure is applied with a tamper-evident band that is first removed by the consumer before torquing down the cap to open the inner seal.

The 290-mL (9.8 oz) mayonnaise jar is often used and stored upside down like so many sauce containers in Europe. “The feedback from the consumer is very positive” says Françoise Surivet-Cuve team manager for packaging development at Unilever’s European Dressings Innovation Center. “They tell us they find it more practical and easy to use.”

The hinged closure employs a star-shaped orifice that keeps the closure cleaner. The same closure debuted in France for Unilever’s Amora mayonnaise jar. —AO