Materials: Page 727

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

Conveying & accumulation

Labeler gives new life to wine bottles

A single-head, pressure-sensitive labeler for front and back labels provides a small Texas winery with quick set-up and clean-up time and saves $10ꯠ, too.

February 29, 2000

Closures

Label copy a charged issue for irradiated beef

Beef processors and food companies can be excused for thinking the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s final approval of irradiation on raw red meat products is a bit undercooked.

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

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

Flexibles

Packaging economics' pendulum swinging back

Not long after listening to (at least part of) President Clinton’s State of the Union address and my own governor’s State of the State speech in January, I was reminded just how pervasive is the role of economics.

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

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

Converting equipment

FruitWorks roll in custom PET

In testing in Baltimore and Hawaii since 1997, FruitWorks from Purchase, NY-based Pepsi-Cola is expected to complete its national rollout in the first quarter of this year.

February 29, 2000

Flexible packaging

Cube-like bag stands tall

Lebanon Seaboard is among the first to use a patented new stand-up bag concept called the Lincube® Bag from Linpac Packaging Solutions (Austell, GA). Since December, the Lebanon, PA, firm has sold three varieties of its bird seed in the stand-up bag in Maryland and Virginia. Other markets will follow.

February 29, 2000