Coding, Printing & Labeling

Fat in the fire

Food and Drug Administration considers food labeling and packaging changes to highlight the dangers of obesity.

May 31, 2005

Drinks, nonalcoholic: Page 22

Flexibles

Sleeve-labeled milk bottle makes a 'Happy Meal' for McDonald's

McDonald’s doubled its milk sales with last summer’s rollout of 8-oz milks in HDPE bottles. The switch from gable-top cartons prompted significant changes at participating dairies.

April 30, 2005

Sustainability

interpack insights

The buzz at the über-sized interpack packaging show in Germany included integration, function-block technology, Rx ‘pens,’ simplicity, esthetics, and concern for machinery ‘made in China.’

April 30, 2005

Converting equipment

New-generation blow molder at Amcor

”We believe the SBO Universal™ is the best machine running in our plant today.”

March 31, 2005

Conveying & accumulation

Wal-Mart strikes again

Machinery OEMs who supply the equipment now automating the packaging lines that funnel product to Wal-Mart shelves take note: It’s unlikely your job is going to get any easier any time soon.

March 31, 2005

Containers

Jolt relaunch is 'electric'

After 20 years, Wet Planet reintroduces Jolt in a 23.5-oz aluminum resealable can decorated with thermochromic inks.

March 31, 2005

Beverage

Getting a 'read' on an unusual competitor

Desirable, high-visibility impulse-purchase space near retailers’ checkout is growing increasingly crowded.

February 28, 2005

Conveying & accumulation

OPC keeps bottles moving

A soft drink bottling company uses OPC technology to track the ingredients and components in each bottle and analyze traceability.

February 28, 2005

Recycling

Splish, Splash... beverage containers may take a bath

Sewer authorities, water utilities, environmentalists, and others now are pushing for a consumption fee on beverage containers.

February 28, 2005

Beverage

Miller puts more beer in fridge

Building on its sales success with the 12-can Fridge Pack, Milwaukee-based Miller Brewing is now the world’s first brewer offering both 12- and 18-can Fridge Packs for Miller Lite, Miller Genuine Draft and Genuine Draft Lite beers.

February 28, 2005

Sustainability

Consumer-friendly packaging gains new importance

Mona Doyle wants brand managers and package designers to know this: The price you pay in good will and sales for packaging that consumers perceive as undesirable could get even higher.

January 31, 2005

Beverage

The truth, nothing but the truth

The Food and Drug Administration has rejected a request by the soft drink industry that it be allowed to continue to use an “and/or” label when it comes to listing sweeteners on labels.

January 31, 2005

Blisters/clamshells/thermoforming materials

Higher IQ packaging

From thwarting would-be counterfeiters to adding value through functionality, smart packaging keeps getting more intelligent.

January 31, 2005