Secondary Packaging

Servo-driven case packer for pouches

Designed for drink pouches, Schneider Packaging Equipment (Brewerton, NY) has introduced a servo-motor-operated pouch case packer. It automatically packs irregularly shaped pouches (with or without straw attached) into five-panel wraparound corrugated cases at speeds over 20/min.

December 31, 1997

Beverage: Page 380

Closures

Foam liner

The Microcell PE and EVA metallocene foams from Sentinel Products (Hyannis, MA) have been FDA-approved for use in food-contact applications. Applications for Microcell include use as a liner in closures for the water and dairy industry and as packaging for personal or medical products.

December 31, 1997

Bag/pouch fill/seal (pre-made bags)

Thermoform/fill/seal system

Hassia's (Morganville, NJ) new THM 16/28 is a low-cost tf/f/s system. It's capable of a depth of draw of 4" and operates at speeds to 200 cups/min, depending on material and product.

December 31, 1997

Blisters/clamshells/thermoforming materials

Combo checkweigher/metal detectors save space for Keebler

Compact and highly accurate, combo checkweighers and metal detectors at Keebler's Macon, GA, bakery are meeting special needs.

December 31, 1997

Beverage

Packages 'understand' people, says Hine

The relationships people have with packages are more complex than they realize. They're both intimate and emotional, says author and noted design critic Thomas Hine in the foreword of his book The Total Package: The Secret History and Hidden Meanings of Boxes, Bottles, Cans, and Other Persuasive Containers (Back Bay Books).

December 31, 1997

Closures

Bass unveils PET/EVOH beer bottle in U.K.

"We scoured the world for the right technology." That's how Bill Dando, director of package development at Bass Brewers in Burton-on-Trent, England, describes the process that led to Bass' recent launch of one beer and one "alcopop" in identical high-barrier plastic bottles.

December 31, 1997

Dairy

Supplier news: Appointments, promotions

Huhtamaki (DeSoto, KS): Mark E. Dowey, vp, dairy sales; Michael L. Lappa, vp, Huhtamaki Intl.

December 31, 1997

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Gillette bets on pressurized plastic bottle

The initial mass-market application of an innovative pressurized dispensing system permits Gillette to offer a shave gel in a plastic container for the first time.

December 31, 1997

Conveying & accumulation

Putting the pressure on faster filling

A unique feeding system on Sweet Ripe Drinks' new pressure filler permits 750-bpm speeds with less glass breakage, higher accuracy and 15-minute changeover.

December 31, 1997

Flexibles

Fruitopia launched in 20-oz PET bottle

Rolling out this month are new 20-oz plastic bottles of Fruitopia from Atlanta-based Coca-Cola USA. The polyethylene terephthalate bottles are from multiple sources.

December 31, 1997

Beverage

Outsourcing benefits point to continuing trend

The outsourcing of packaging functions has been yielding benefits, Packaging World readers report. Cost savings and satisfaction are the upside, while only half of respondents report increases in plant efficiency.

December 31, 1997

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

A Star coding system

Dental tool maker Star Dental switches from manual label application to preprinting with a thermal-transfer system to comply with industry bar-code guidelines. Savings are the major benefit.

December 31, 1997

Flexible packaging

New Year's promise: Further packaging advances

There's a better-than-even chance we'll see a surge in packaging advances this year. Packaging developers in a host of segments see the promise of their long labors bearing fruit in 1998.

December 31, 1997