Single-use caulk packs debut

Huntersville, NC-based Momentive Performance Materials’ GE Caulk Singles is a single-use disposable package of caulk. It reinvents the caulking experience for the consumer by putting an end to caulk guns and hard-to-use squeeze tubes.

Ingeniously engineered, Caulk Singles dispense easily with one hand, require no tools, and leave essentially no waste in the package. With Caulk Singles, caulking becomes an effortless, quick fix instead of a messy task.

According to Momentive, the product’s highly engineered new 1.25-oz, 5-in.-tall stand-up pouches use geometric bellows and other hidden mechanisms. The "bellows" comprise a rather unconventional layer of white E-flute corrugated affixed to the back of the pack that's die cut to match the pack contour. It's covered by a folded label printed bilingually with product and package information and instructions in English/Spanish.

Along with the opening design, the corrugated bellows enables a constant stream of caulk to be easily and consistently squeezed from the package. Benefits of the packaging include:

• A perfect size for most common caulking jobs
• Small enough to store in small spaces, such as the kitchen drawer
• Cuts prep and cleanup time
• Makes it easier to dispense the caulk with one hand, eliminating the need for a caulk gun or excess tools
• Eliminates or reduces unnecessary waste by evenly dispensing the caulk from the back to the front of the package
• Helps create an even, neat bead of caulk despite changes in pressure, minimizing the cleanup and dry time

Reinvents and simplifies

"Caulk Singles will do for caulk what the bleach pen and disposable razor did for busy people on-the-go,” says Rodney Hawkins, general manager of Momentive performance materials, an exclusive licensee of General Electric. “By reinventing and simplifying the consumer’s experience with caulk, Caulk Singles enable today’s busy homeowner to beautify their home with just a tear, squeeze, and toss. Homeowners can now squeeze a little beauty into their day between running errands, running to work, and picking up the kids."

Package graphics are flexo-printed in three colors on the 5.5-mil pouch's outer biaxially oriented nylon layer. 

Caulk Singles are available starting June 2008 at Lowe’s Home Improvement stores, Ace Hardware, and True Value. Suggested price is $1.99 to $2.99 per 1.25-oz pack. Varieties are white paintable acrylic and white or clear waterproof silicone. Intended for one-time use, Caulk Singles minimize waste and storage by allowing the consumer to purchase just enough to complete the job at hand.

Packaging World has learned that the industrial design firm of Ideo (www.ideo.com) was involved with the development. 

 For more details, listen to the Podcast interview with Momentive's Anita Mooy, Inside a revolutionary package: GE Caulk Singles.