Materials: Page 583

Coding, Printing & Labeling

An RFID tug-of-war

These days, RFID tagging for many manufacturers is a given. Whether to do it is no longer the issue—even how to do it isn’t as important as it once was.

May 31, 2005

Blisters/clamshells/thermoforming materials

CP's custom cartoner handles challenging carton

New equipment helps pharmaceutical contract packager meet its customer demands and stay within its budget.

May 31, 2005

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

Package security--action replaces talk

Drug firms start RFID tagging, and anti-counterfeiting tactics expand as packagers get more aggressive to protect brands.

May 31, 2005

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

Achieving value by anticipating needs (sidebar)

One successful tactic for paperboard manufacturers in developing value-based packaging is knowing what consumers want and then taking the initiative to anticipate CPG companies’ needs by designing the right packaging and marketing it to them.

May 31, 2005

Containers

Software solutions save the day

Cheesemaker Tillamook of Oregon wanted to avoid product recall problems. Fruit packer Pri-Psagot of Israel needed accurate data tracking. Both devised software solutions.

May 31, 2005

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

Automation software makes real-time adjustments

With an industrial PC operating as its main controller, this blister-pack machine recalculates cam tables with each cycle.

May 31, 2005

Containers

'Girl' powered for new markets

Clabber Girl fills and case-packs pails in a compact, cost-saving operation.See video

May 31, 2005

Flexible packaging

Servos and robotics solve pouch-packing challenge

Stand-up pouches in three different sizes are automatically case packed at speeds to 90/min by this 12-axis, servo-controlled, robotic case packing system.

May 31, 2005

Flexible packaging

Filling and retorting (sidebar)

Upstream from the robotic case packing and palletizing operation at Fresenius, pouches are filled and sent through a retort operation. As might be expected, the systems involved are every bit as sophisticated as those responsible for secondary packaging.

May 31, 2005

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Fat in the fire

Food and Drug Administration considers food labeling and packaging changes to highlight the dangers of obesity.

May 31, 2005

Flexibles

The wrap-up: Soup for you!

Al Yeganeh, the inspiration for “Seinfeld’s” “The Soup Nazi” episode, has created his own line of soups to be sold in grocery stores across the nation.

May 31, 2005

Closures

Temperature effects on torque and bottle opening

This original research from an SJSU graduate student looks at the effect of temperature on the removal torque of PP and HDPE closures.

May 31, 2005