Flexibles

Drop-in replacement film cuts costs

President Baking Co., Atlanta, GA, saved 10% in material costs by making a switch in films for its Famous Amos® brand cookies in a 16-oz bag-in-box package.

August 31, 1996

Bakery/Snack: Page 118

Bakery/Snack

Pack Expo eye-openers scheduled

Attendees at Pack Expo 96 can pick up unique insights on future packaging challenges by attending three Eye-Opener Breakfast Sessions. All three sessions will run from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m.

August 31, 1996

Flexibles

Resins OK'd for fatty food packaging

In June the Food and Drug Administration approved Exxon Chemical's (Houston, TX) Oppera® modified polypropylene film resins for use in direct contact with fatty foods such as salty snacks, processed meats and cheeses, and confectionery items.

August 31, 1996

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

New press focuses on flexibility

Converter Graphic Packaging's Franklin, OH, plant is the first in the U.S. to use a new press that can print flexible packaging by gravure and flexography, and dry-bond laminate and apply cold-seal or hot melt wax-coat in-line. Kroger's coffee bags represent the first commercial application.

July 31, 1996

Flexibles

New thermoform makes tuna salad easier

After a '90s makeover, Charlie the StarKist Tuna resurfaces on packages of a new product, Ready Mixed Tuna Salad & Crackers. The product is a more convenient form of the Lunch Kit that StarKist Seafoods, Newport, KY, has been marketing for about four years.

July 31, 1996

Converting equipment

Salsa jar sealed 'first class'

Polypropylene replaces glass jar for hot-filled salsa served on Reno Air flights. Special linerless cap holds vacuum, yielding 90-day shelf life.

June 30, 1996

Flexibles

Bowling them over in the produce aisle

The latest innovation from Tanimura & Antle is a line of single-serve fresh-cut salads packed in a thermoformed bowl. Refrigerated shelf life is two weeks.

June 30, 1996

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Brewers getting 'fresh'

BATF weighs brewers' petitions for freshness dating, and considers requiring brewers to disclose corporate names.

June 30, 1996

Converting equipment

Shaping technology injects market excitement in metal cans

Until a couple of years ago, American packagers using cans seemed satisfied with the straight sidewall profile and functionality of most metal cans. The cans were strong, easy to fill and seam, and offered a number of labeling, case packing and stacking options.

June 30, 1996

Closures

Composite canister cuts costs

When a metal can supplier phased out the can sizes used by Beer Nuts, Inc. for its namesake snack, the Bloomington, IL-based snack company turned to composite canisters from Sonoco Products (Hartsville, SC).

June 30, 1996

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

Vertical f/f/s machine for food and nonfood applications

The Butler(TM) 3 is a new vertical form/fill/seal machine from UVA-Butler (Richmond, VA) suited for frozen foods, cereal, pasta, pet food, powders and granulates.

May 31, 1996

Conveying & accumulation

Continuous-motion packer speeds up Coke hot-fill line

A new type of continuous-motion bottle packer boosts output of Chattanooga hot-fill line. Simple design cuts maintenance and changeover.

May 31, 1996

Flexible packaging

Ling Ling tries a blend of MAP and frozen distribution

Shipped and warehoused frozen, these Chinese entrees are displayed in the supermarket's refrigerated deli case, where their modified atmospheres give them an extended shelf life.

May 31, 1996