Closures

Ensure moves to a new kind of plastic

Abbott Laboratories’ Ross Products Div. has announced what it calls "the biggest innovation in this business in 30 years."

August 31, 2003

Blisters/clamshells/thermoforming materials: Page 75

Coding, Printing & Labeling

RFID: At Wal-Mart, distribution packaging only

Although some consumer groups claimed credit, Wal-Mart says it had never agreed to work with Gillette on in-store test of RFID tags.

August 31, 2003

Flexible packaging

Packaging technology on display, Part Two

Once again the DuPont Awards competition attracted the best and the brightest where advancements in plastic packaging technology are concerned.

July 31, 2003

Blisters/clamshells/thermoforming materials

New packaging association formed

The Association of Visual Packaging Manufacturers has been formed to address growing concerns over plant closings and lost jobs to overseas competition.

July 31, 2003

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

Rotary blister sealer

The SRS Series semi automatic rotary type heat sealers from Serpone Packaging Systems are designed for medium- to higher-volume production requirements.

July 31, 2003

Blisters/clamshells/thermoforming materials

Blister pack components on demand

Plastic bags with preprinted header cards were too costly and too labor intensive to fill and staple shut. Thermoformed PVC blisters with ‘slider cards’ are a big improvement.

July 31, 2003

Blisters/clamshells/thermoforming materials

'Knowledge-based' robots learn as they pack

Machine vision, robotic packaging equipment, PC controls, and customized software combine to help a German maker of frankfurters cope with growth.

July 31, 2003

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

Compliance packages of the year

The Healthcare Compliance Packaging Council announced the 2002 winners of its Compliance Package of the Year Award: Lamictal by GlaxoSmithKline; Fosamax by Merck & Co.; and Nexium by AstraZeneca.

June 30, 2003

Flexibles

Philips automates shaver head packaging

Norelco replacement shaver heads are packaged in Holland in a fold-over blister package on a two-part packaging line that’s almost completely automated.

June 30, 2003

Flexibles

A case-ready meat tour

A visit to a Wal-Mart Supercenter—and input from industry experts—provides a snapshot look at case-ready meat packaging.

June 30, 2003

Flexibles

Countering the counterfeiters

Aventis Pharma Argentina is using a printed holographic push-through blister pack to fight counterfeiters of its popular Novalgina analgesic tablets.

June 30, 2003

Sustainability

Wild Oats debuts 'corn-tainers'

Natural and organic food retailer Wild Oats Natural Marketplace, Boulder, CO, is reportedly the first North American firm to pack deli foods at retail in containers made of NatureWorks™ PLA from Cargill Dow LLC. PLA is a renewable-resource-based polylactide resin derived from corn.

June 30, 2003

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

FDA flashes red light to patent stays

Agency doesn’t want branded drug manufacturers to delay development of generics because of packaging claims. New limits on patents go into effect August 18.

June 30, 2003