Converting equipment

A measure of success

Hydro Agri North America gains a foothold in the holding-tank treatment market, thanks to a redesigned package that includes built-in product measurement.

April 30, 2000

Blisters/clamshells/thermoforming materials: Page 94

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

Hf/f/s system for blisters

Unprinted PET blisters are manufactured on Illig’s (Heilbronn, Germany) FS 35 hf/f/s machine. Product information can be printed on a paperboard card and placed in each package or the machine can be outfitted with printing equipment.

April 30, 2000

Flexibles

International agreements

Rexam PLC (London, England) has agreed to acquire American National Can Group Inc. (Chicago, IL) for $985 million, which would make the co. the largest supplier of cans to Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc.

April 30, 2000

Feeding/inserting/unscrambling

Packager survey: details & prices, yes; e-commerce, no (sidebar)

Capsule reviews

April 30, 2000

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

Containers capture consumer convenience

Surf wax in a deodorant-like container, an ergonomic waste container for biohazardous materials and a snowmobile lubricant in a jug designed for mittened hands are among this year’s NACD award winners.

April 30, 2000

Blisters/clamshells/thermoforming materials

Triangle Package Machinery Co.: Tray weigher/filler

The servo-driven X-Y Depositech scale/filler from Triangle (Chicago, IL) weighs and deposits up to 140 discharges/min into thermoformed trays. Used largely in packing food products, the machine combines weighments of up to 8 ingredients, and 250 recipes can be stored in memory.

March 31, 2000

Converting equipment

Relocations, expansions

Matrix (Saukville, WI) has moved into its new 18ꯠ sq’ building at 700 N. Progress Dr., Saukville, WI 53080; phone: 262/268-8300, fax: 262/268-8301.

March 31, 2000

Flexible packaging

Borden gets 'smart' with tray

It’s Pasta Anytime™, a Borden Foods creation, is set to debut nationally this June in a patented Smart Cooker™ tray. The microwavable, single-serve product is shelf-stable for nine months.

March 31, 2000

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

FDA packaging guidance gets bad 'wrap'

Brand-name pharmaceutical manufacturers and OTC companies want more freedom to make packaging changes without major petitioning.

February 29, 2000

Secondary Packaging

Dean dips into single-serve cups

Dean Foods creates a new refrigerated foods category with four-packs of 2 3/4-oz chip and vegetable dips marketed in colorful die-cut folding cartons.

February 29, 2000

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Trans fat labeling proposal

The National Food Processors Assn. wants to extend the comment period for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s proposed trans fat labeling rule by 90 days, to May 15, 2000.

February 29, 2000

Cartoning

Schneider Electric ELAU Packaging Solutions: PC-based controller

Suitable for use in form/fill/seal, flow wrapping, cartoning, labeling and blister forming machinery, the PacDrive™ PC-based controller/servo drive system from Elau (Chicago, IL) is a fully digital system that replaces mechanical main shafts.

February 29, 2000

Sustainability

Food packs sparkle in DuPont Awards

From an Ocean Spray package that won the Diamond Award to a vacuum-insulated container for foods and other temperature-sensitive products, this year’s DuPont Award winners are an eclectic and innovative bunch.

January 31, 2000