Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

Capsule reviews

Here are a few brief reviews of packaging-related Web sites. Lasertechnics (Albuquerque, NM), located at www.lasertechnics.com, has a site that makes a basic, though well-written, pitch for laser coding.

May 31, 1999

Blisters/clamshells/thermoforming materials: Page 98

Closures

Trays for audio/visual media 'serve and protect'

For trays that hold cassettes, CDs and video tapes, Vinylweld shifts to new PVC sheet that holds tolerances and protects the media.

May 31, 1999

Closures

Paperboard packs award-winning punch

Award winners in this year's Paperboard Packaging Competition range from digital camera bag sleeves to catheter cards to bagel cartons.

May 31, 1999

Closures

Hormel's pack makes bacon ready-to-eat

For the first time, fully precooked bacon strips are now available virtually anywhere in the supermarket. A new thermoformed MAP flexible package allows Hormel Foods, Austin, MN, to pack oxygen-sensitive cooked bacon slices without refrigeration for up to four months.

April 30, 1999

Cartoning

Glaxo 'Wellcomes' quick-change software

As Glaxo Wellcome's Zebulon, NC, facility packs a wider variety of pharmaceuticals, quick-changeover equipment becomes top priority. Software developed in-house helps the plant reduce changeover times on its solid-dose packaging lines.

April 30, 1999

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

Source tags provide measured security improvements

Stanley Tools houses a security label in a patented PVC capsule that clips onto the back of its tape rule package.

April 30, 1999

Conveying & accumulation

Robotic tray loaders speed cookie loading

A state-of-the-art line at Voortman Cookies in Canada uses 10 vision-guided robots to simultaneously pack cookies into five trays at 1걄 cookies/min. Saves C$450ꯠ/yr in labor costs and provides 10-minute tool-less changeover.

April 30, 1999

Bag/pouch fill/seal (pre-made bags)

Film's flexibility fits ice packs

Puncture-resistant film protects Forever Ice's 'reusable' ice to withstand repeated freezing and thawing. A custom tf/f/s machine improves efficiency.

April 30, 1999

Flexibles

Jays chips in holographic lidding

Jays Foods hopes consumers "can't stop eating" its new tray-packed E-Z Dippin's(TM) single-serve chip and dip snacks. Last month, five varieties of the shelf-stable snacks were rolled out in Chicago supermarkets, convenience stores and other outlets.

March 31, 1999

Flexibles

Oscar Mayer extends Carving Board line with MAP pack

Fully cooked, refrigerated, ready-to-eat chicken breast strips have been added to the Louis Rich Carving Board line from Oscar Mayer Foods. When asked about packaging materials and suppliers, about all the Madison, WI, firm would say is that modified-atmosphere packaging is used.

March 31, 1999

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

Carton coder

A new series of portable automatic coders from Open Date (London, England) offers overprinting on a variety of cartons, blister cards, sleeves and film.

March 31, 1999

Sustainability

Polaroid pictures a perfect pack

Polaroid prepares for the launch of a global product in a global package. The I-Zone instant pocket camera will also test the company's new regional packaging strategy.

March 31, 1999

Sustainability

Packaging for a global marketplace

As today's marketplace becomes increasingly global, how does that affect the way products are packaged? The strategies adopted by these firms provide some useful clues.

March 31, 1999