Shoppers in supermarkets and liquor stores in New York state were treated last fall to the Tailgate’r (left). It’s a handled paperboard cylinder 20” tall and 7” across holding 28 cans of Labatt Blue neatly layered in four stacks of seven cans each. Supplied by MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, the package won the prestigious President’s Award in the 62nd annual awards competition sponsored by the Paperboard Packaging Council.
The Tailgate’r consists of six pieces and requires no glue for setup and filling, a big plus for the contract packager whose operators fill it manually. The body has a manufacturers joint that makes it a cylinder. Operators just pop it open, snap a bottom piece in place, insert a film liner (so that fans can ice down their beer on the way to the big game), stack the cans with a paperboard insert separating each layer, fit the top on, attach the plastic carrying handle, and the package is done.
The paperboard is either 18- or 27-pt coated kraft that’s printed offset in up to five colors. A three-ply handle reinforcement is used to carry the 24-lb package.
Also shown here are this year’s 13 Gold Award winners and the Innovation Award winner.
