Containers

Improving product throughput and shelf life

Cannoli manufacturer reaps sweet rewards by installing horizontal flowwrapping and bag-sealing equipment to replace manual operations.

November 5, 2006

Industries: Page 480

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

UF squeezes out more R&D projects

From RFID to barrier containers to shelf life prediction, there's more to packaging research at the University of Florida than even staff expected.

November 5, 2006

Flexible packaging

Nothing nutty about this bagging system

The need to pre-mix spices and sugar in small batches is an inconvenience that has been overcome since this purveyor of nuts implemented a dosing/bagging upgrade.

November 5, 2006

Feeding/inserting/unscrambling

Want innovation that drives sales? Slow down

Inventive package structures require at least 18 months, but economic pressure too often speeds up the design. Approach innovation as a cross-functional process, two gurus say.

November 5, 2006

Flexibles

Costco unboxed

Out-of-the-big-box eco-thinking drives Scott Carnie­—and new packaging—at Costco.

November 5, 2006

Coding, Printing & Labeling

California dreamin'

Drug ‘pedigree' compromise in Golden State has RFID vendors expecting wider drug industry adoption.

November 5, 2006

Beverage

Rx applied to tablet line

AstraZeneca looks outside of pharmaceuticals to find an accumulation, buffering, and line-balancing system that improves OEE.

November 5, 2006

Beverage

Workhorse label boosts water's sales 90%

Glaceau increased sales 90% for its Smartwater bottled water by restaging the brand through packaging and by expanding distribution.

November 5, 2006

Bakery/Snack

Wow, baby--Gerber injects a little personality

Icon brands that stay relevant and create symmetry between products in the brand “family” continue to endure in consumers' hearts. Gerber, a long-trusted brand, is a recent example with a new packaging system for all three of its lines, which help consumers to shop the category more efficiently.

November 5, 2006

Converting equipment

Missing: one extruder

Maybe you were as surprised as I was to hear about the major recall from Ross Products for its 32-oz plastic bottles of Similac.

November 5, 2006

Sustainability

Water, water is everywhere, perhaps not what you think

When it comes to bottled water, there is more to it than you may think, and less to it than you may think.

November 5, 2006

Conveying & accumulation

Dow upgrades straw application operations

Midland, MI-based Dow Chemical Company is using an EZ-Seal® 300 SL heat shrink-sleeve applicator from Axon (www.axoncorp.com) to improve tamper-evidence and straw application for its line of Great Stuff insulating foam sealant products.

November 5, 2006

Flexibles

Susceptor suits frozen fish

Gimbert Surgeles of France has launched a line of frozen, breaded fish filets that cook in less than three minutes in the microwave oven thanks to the Microrite™ susceptor sleeve that surrounds them.

November 5, 2006