Conveying & accumulation

SATO America Introduces UHF RFID High-Performance OEM Print Engine

SATO “S” Series provides complete and automatic UHF RFID labeling

December 31, 2004

Materials: Page 587

Blisters/clamshells/thermoforming materials

Blister pack

First Choice Packaging Solutions offers its Virtuweld blister-pack clamshell in seven stock sizes. The blister appears welded, but it’s actually snapped together to form an undetectable seal, yet with all the benefits of being unsealed.

December 31, 2004

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Walgreens commits to RFID/EPC technology

National drugstore chain Walgreen Co. in November announced that it is participating in programs testing radio-frequency identification (RFID) and electronic product code (EPC) technologies.

December 31, 2004

Closures

New glass stopper for wine closures

Another alternative to natural cork as a closure for premium wines is now being trialed in Germany.

December 31, 2004

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Purdue Pharma uses RFID on OxyContin

In mid-November, Stamford, CT-based Purdue Pharma LP announced a pilot program to apply radio-frequency identification (RFID) labels (right) to 100-ct bottles of its OxyContin tablets shipped to Wal-Mart and wholesaler H. D. Smith, two of its largest customers.

December 31, 2004

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

PACKAGING VOLUME REPORT

The size and shape of the U.S. packaging market is reported by industry in the Packaging in the United States report from Research and Markets Ltd. Market size data is shown for the years between 1998 and 2002.

December 31, 2004

Containers

Seagram's becomes 'cooler' for winter

After nearly 20 years, Seagram’s Cooler beverages are now available in a completely new packaging presentation: new glass bottle, label, and graphics.

December 31, 2004

Labels

Holiday launch for three-packs

Aunt Lydia’s Italian Crème toppings are now available in multiflavor three-packs from FACT Corp., Freehold, NJ, in two packaging formats.

December 31, 2004

Closures

Closures bring classics to life

In Vienna, Austria, gourmet jam producer Staud’s Vienna has successfully launched its Kunst und Genuss (Arts and Delights) promotional campaign with custom-designed steel caps from Crown Closures Europe.

December 31, 2004

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Data synch or sink

How important is data synchronization to your radio-frequency identification program?

December 31, 2004

Flexibles

Coca-Cola collector's bottle design

Coca-Cola Brazil recently launched its limited-edition Coca-Cola Light bottle decorated with a full-body shrink film from Sleever Intl.

December 31, 2004

Additives, coatings & inks

People

Ruth J. Mack was elected vice president of Alcoa and group president of packaging and consumer products.

December 31, 2004

Protective/transport packaging

Companies

Sonoco is manufacturing self-heating containers at a plant in Wausau, WI. Sun Chemical has formed Sun Chemical Security, a new global business unit that will provide a wide range of products used to print packages that incorporate security measures.

December 31, 2004