Coca-Cola has relaunched its preservative-free Powerade sports drink with a
38-mm flip-top SportGuard valve dispensing closure from Zeller Plastic
Mexico (www.zelleramericas.com). Global Closure Systems R&D (GCS)
and United Closures and Plastics (UCP) out of the U.K. worked with Zeller
jointly on the project.
The three-part assembly consists of a black dispensing outer closure
and a white drinking spout, both manufactured in high-density polyethylene. The drinking
spout houses the silicone valve sub-assembly developed and supplied by
UCP, Zeller’s U.K. sister company. The SportGuard design incorporates
several unique features developed by working closely with Coca-Cola
Export to meet the stringent demands of this hot-fill product. Patented
drainage channels ensure that the cooling water, which remains after
hot filling, drains away cleanly. In addition, the technological
achievement of a linerless closure design obviates the need for
induction-seal liners and the cumbersome removal routine prior to
drinking the product, making it more convenient and more cost-effective.
The outer closure provides double security with a tamper-evident band at the base and a neat TE tear strip to the
flip-top for optimal product integrity. With the tear strip removed,
the flip-top is easily opened via the thumb recess and held on a
flexible hinge in excess of 180 degrees from the spout for ease of use
by the consumer. For child safety, the closure design complies with the
Choke Hazard criteria developed by the British Soft Drinks Assoc. for sports drinks closures.
Jorge Loza, business development manager
for Zeller Plastik Mexico states, “In developing SportGuard for
Powerade, we have tailored the design and technical expertise available
within GCS to resolve all the challenges presented by the new hot-fill
formulation and Coca-Cola’s requirements for closure functionality,
ergonomics, safety, and performance to produce an exceptional solution
to the specific product needs, supporting the brand’s very competitive
market positioning. SportGuard has been the result of exemplary team
work between Coca-Cola and GCS.”
The 38-mm closure caps both the 600-mL and 1-L sizes in the Powerade
product range.
-Pat Reynolds
