Coding, Printing & Labeling

Infant formula GMPs could be something to cry about

Potentially irritating packaging requirements from the FDA could give infant formula manufacturers and their packagers a bad case of diaper rash. FDA suggests that written specifications for packaging could lead to a system of packaging guarantees.

November 30, 1996

Blisters/clamshells/thermoforming materials: Page 111

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

Kraft's clamshell says 'Manchego'

Kraft Foods de Mexico's new Manchego-style cheese slices are merchandised in a clear hinged clamshell that's thermoformed from a custom resin. Value-added package results in brisk sales.

November 30, 1996

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

Indenting machine

The new TB 986 tabletop indenting machine from Algene Marking (Garfield, NJ) uses pressure and steel type to indent up to two lines of text into folding cartons or blister cards.

October 31, 1996

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

RF welder

Thermex-Thermatron (Bay Shore, NY) has developed a radio frequency welder that uses a combination of PLC control and specific algorithms to allow preprogramming of up to eight settings.

October 31, 1996

Sustainability

Cellular CPET

Shell Chemical (Houston, TX) has announced an advance in cellular CPET. Petlite(TM) II is a new resin that can be thermoformed into containers made to withstand the high-temperature baking conditions of CPET, with the potential for source reduction and cost savings.

October 31, 1996

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

RF sealing shuttle

Callanan (Elk Grove Village, IL)will introduce the Calpack RF shuttle table packaging system, a shuttle system equipped with standard blister sealing features for clamshell packages.

October 31, 1996

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

In Europe, packaging take-backs are hot

Environmental regulation of packaging has become a hot item outside the U.S. this year. More than 20 countries worldwide now have some form of "producer responsibility" law on the books or in the works.

October 31, 1996

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Slaying the technology beast

Packaging engineers must grapple with increasingly complex packaging technologies while simultaneously mastering the science of line efficiency to squeeze out costs in an ultra-competitive future.

October 31, 1996

Conveying & accumulation

A new twist on blisters

It's called a platform blister and it saves Peterson Mfg. Co. up to 10¢ per package over its former clamshell pack. A 16-position automatic heat sealer pays for itself in a year.

October 31, 1996

Cartoning

'In-sourcing' revitalizes Gumtech

By thermoforming, filling and sealing blister packs of nutraceutical gums in-house, Gumtech can package products as needed, replacing the two- or three-week advance notice necessary for a contract packager. Payback in 18 months justifies the equipment purchase.

October 31, 1996

Blisters/clamshells/thermoforming materials

Supplier news: Domestic acquisitions, agreements

Tuscarora, Inc. (New Brighton, PA) acquired thermoformer FormPac Corp. (Sandusky, OH).

October 31, 1996

Feeding/inserting/unscrambling

Food retailers like OPS tub for in-store applications

Wilkinson extrudes and thermoforms a two-piece tub with a snap-fit seal that keeps food fresh. Resin consistency and the right copolymer modifier help a lot.

October 31, 1996

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Hershey kisses NLEA headaches goodbye

Graphic designer at Hershey Chocolate uses software nutrition kit to simplify compliance with NLEA regulations.

October 31, 1996