Flexible packaging

The future of resealable packaging

Robert Hogan is director of international sales and marketing at Zip-Pak, a global leader in zipper technology for packaging. Bryan Muskat is president of Triangle Package Machinery, a leading supplier of zipper-compatible VFFS packaging machinery. Presented here are their views on the whys and wherefores of incorporating resealable packaging features.

April 30, 2006

Bakery/Snack: Page 57

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Bulldog-Mentality changeover tactics Part II

Eliminate, externalize, and simplify. Break down changeovers into smaller, more manageable tasks, with attention to detail. The results can save both time and money.Key termsElimination: Find and cut out unnecessary tasks.Externalization: Re-examine tasks to be performed either while the line is running or stopped, to reduce downtime.Simplification: Make all processes as easy and foolproof as possible.

March 31, 2006

Adhesives/tape

The wrap-up: Taped creativity

Packaging tapes are available in themed versions from bacon to cowboys to Jesus.

March 31, 2006

Feeding/inserting/unscrambling

They've seen fire and they've seen rain

Contingency planning helped Colonial Carton when fire destroyed its plant, while GA Food Services had to contend with a Katrina-driven 400% increase in business.

March 31, 2006

Coding, Printing & Labeling

FDA defines "whole grain"

Eat at least three 1-oz servings of whole grain products daily, consumers are told.

March 31, 2006

Beverage

EU deregulates package sizes

The European Parliament deregulated package sizes for most pre-packaged products, except for staple beverages and foods. Manufacturers and retailers will be able to sell deregulated products in customized containers rather than in sizes mandated by member states or EU laws.

March 31, 2006

Flexibles

Clarification

In March coverage of the FPA Awards Competition, four Silver Award winners were left out. Three were in the Technical Innovation category: Fisherman’s Friend Strong Mint, by converter Amcor Flexibles; Blue View Cook a Carrot, by converter Flex Pack USA; and Fromm Adult Gold Dog Food Quad Seal Pouch, by converter Polymer Packaging.

March 31, 2006

Flexibles

Mini cookies big hit in PP cups

United Biscuits Southern Europe, Barcelona, Spain, introduced Nabisco-brand Mini-Oreos and Mini-Chips Ahoy cookies packaged in rigid polypropylene, 4-oz cups to Spanish and Portuguese markets in 2004.

March 31, 2006

Labels

Case-ready seafood in leak-proof packs

Sea Star Seafood, Marlborough, MA, is riding a trend of case-ready seafood with a line of Beacon Light Refresh frozen products launched in early 2006 in leak-proof packaging.

March 31, 2006

Cartoning

Cereal bar packing

Bradman Lake has developed an automated system for collating and packing flow-wrapped cereal and other confectionery bars for companies committed to end-load carton formats.

March 31, 2006

Bakery/Snack

Is personal care the next convenience packaging surge?

The growth of on-the-go packaged products appears headed for the personal care market.

February 28, 2006

Filling/capping, dry

Club store fills bulk bags on demand

PriceSmart club stores in Latin America offer on-demand, in-store bulk packaging of dry and liquid commodities.

February 28, 2006

Controls & Machine Components

B&R Industrial Automation: Industrial PC - B&R APC620

Power in Modular FormThe B&R APC620 Industrial PC combines all the advantages of an open system with full integration in an automation system. Whether it's used as a central PC-based control unit or as a higher-level system based on networked controllers, its modular design allows for unlimited flexibility and several possible configurations.

February 28, 2006