Converting equipment

French brewers say oui to plastic

Web exclusive: Brasseries Heineken puts another brand in 1/2-L plastic and introduces a 1-L plastic beer bottle, consisting of three materials in five layers and coinjection stretch/blow-molded by Continental PET Technologies (Florence, KY). Separately, Strasbourg, France-based Kronenbourg commits not only to the unusal step of self-manufacturing its own PET bottles, but to Actis (Amorphous Carbon Treatment on Internal Surface) coating process from Sidel (Norcross, GA).

February 29, 2000

Containers: Page 225

Containers

Appointments, promotions

The Frain Group (Addison, IL): David Eggleston, COO.—LPK (Cincinnati, OH): Jerry Kathman, president, CEO.—Terco (Bloomingdale, IL): Dennis Ahrens, president, replacing David Cull who has resigned.—Alvey Systems, Inc.

February 29, 2000

Converting equipment

Welch Foods launches coated PET bottle

Coated monolayer PET bottles are replacing glass for 16-juice drinks, juice cocktails and 100% juices. FDA-approved coating is said to cost less than multilayer barrier bottles. The heat-set PET bottles will be sold in vending and C-store channels nationwide.

February 29, 2000

Labels

Perrier gets a grip

Better ergonomics and lighter weight are benefits of Perrier’s new 5-gal water bottle with integral handle. Plus, a new rack system for transport reduces bottle breakage.

February 29, 2000

Coding, Printing & Labeling

FDA packaging guidance gets bad 'wrap' (sidebar)

Safer institutional drug packaging?

February 29, 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

Containers

Look Ma, no hands!

Automation, custom molding and a packaging partnership allow an inventor to bring a hands-free tube applicator to the marketplace.

February 29, 2000

Conveying & accumulation

Controls push speed limit

U.S. Sugar fills two 5-lb bags/sec with better than ±0.1% accuracy thanks to a state-of-the-art sugar-filling line powered by the latest in servo drive, PLC and networking technology.

February 29, 2000

Converting equipment

Chemical maker's new IBC closes the loop

A durable container’s recycling program prompts a chemical manufacturer to invest in new IBCs to transport its chemicals across the country.

February 29, 2000

Flexibles

Chemicals take to water-soluble film

Water-soluble film played a key role in a recent packaging innovation at Chemenergy of Albany, NY.

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

Controls & Machine Components

CCL Container: Decorative tubes

Cosmetics, toiletries and other personal-care products packaged in a tube can now use the Optical Effects™ tubes from CCL Container (Swedesboro, NJ).

January 31, 2000

Containers

Postal service spends $66 million for tray handling

Last fall, the U.S. Postal Service awarded a $66 million contract for 100 robotic container loading systems to ABB Flexible Automation (New Berlin, WI).

January 31, 2000