Household/Automotive: Page 18

Containers

Postal service spends $66 million for tray handling

Last fall, the U.S. Postal Service awarded a $66 million contract for 100 robotic container loading systems to ABB Flexible Automation (New Berlin, WI).

January 31, 2000

Feeding/inserting/unscrambling

Oil packer's ink-jets add bar codes

Private-label motor oil customers seek better bottle codes and bar codes on cases. Packer siezes opportunity to upgrade to a networked system using wax-based inks that help plant achieve pollution cutbacks.

August 31, 1999

Feeding/inserting/unscrambling

Combining machinery functions while we broaden options

The big show at Dsseldorf, interpack 99, proved to be another education in the worldwide scope of packaging. Coming just seven months after Pack Expo 98, there are some parallels between the shows, though there's also a whole host of differences.

June 30, 1999

Flexibles

Wheel manufacturer eliminates quality defects

An aluminum wheel manufacturer switches from polyethylene foam to polypropylene foam to cushion its wheels for overseas shipment, saving the company the costs of repairing damaged wheels.

May 31, 1999

Sustainability

More than just a pretty package (sidebar)

Additional winners include:

April 30, 1999

Household/Automotive

Oh, baby!

Consumer Product Safety Commission proposal on child-resistant caps would force packaging expenditures for many products. The specifics of new rule have yet to be fully identified.

February 28, 1999

Filling/capping, liquid & viscous

Pennzoil buttons up coder problems

New small-character ink-jet coders provide one-button shutdown and start-up while cutting maintenance time by at least 50% compared to previous coders.

October 31, 1998

Flexible packaging

PMMI expects growth in machine spending

Packaging machinery spending by U.S. manufacturers this year will likely rise by up to 3% more than it did in 1997. Strong investment is expected from personal care and household/industrial chemical markets.

August 31, 1998

Additives, coatings & inks

Plastics maker tightens up on contamination

Engineering resins are costly, so consistent quality is critical. GE Plastics adds state-of-the-art metal detectors just ahead of resin packaging to eliminate this potential problem.

August 31, 1998

Closures

Cosmetics are big winners in packaging competition (sidebar)

Additional NACD award winners: Industrial & Automotive category

April 30, 1998

Filling/capping, liquid & viscous

Water bottling line completed by farmer (sidebar)

Selecting containers

March 31, 1998

Containers

Valvoline valve adds elbow room

Valvoline's new line of SynPower® synthetic automotive chemicals includes two products that employ a unique new spray delivery system. The Lexington, KY-based company's Brake Parts Cleaner and Carb Choke & Throttle Body Cleaner are filled into aerosol cans and topped by a unique one-piece spray cap and tube that allows precise delivery into areas of a car difficult to access.

February 28, 1998