Materials: Page 777

Additives, coatings & inks

Freezer-to-oven CPET trays

A thermoformed tray of crystallized polyethylene terephthalate holds frozen, unbaked muffin batter and can be put right in the oven to allow foodservice operators in Australia to offer fresh-baked goods on-premise.

March 31, 1998

Closures

Irradiation labeling

The National Food Processors Assn. (NFPA) has asked U.S. Dept. of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to solicit and review public comments on labeling requirements for irradiated meat and meat products as part of its upcoming rulemaking.

March 31, 1998

Additives, coatings & inks

Pepsi 'Storms' Colorado, 'Grips' Dayton

A striking metallized label is helping Pepsi-Cola introduce its new lemon-lime soft drink, Storm(TM), to three Colorado markets-Denver, Colorado Springs and Pueblo.

March 31, 1998

Labels

Package design 'primes' users on paint primers

New label design and matching in-store merchandising cards make it simpler for customers to select the appropriate Sherwin-Williams paint primer. The well-known Cleveland-based paint manufacturer and distributor worked with brand identity and package design firm Interbrand Gerstman+Meyers (New York, NY) to create a distinctive color-coded design.

March 31, 1998

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

Changes in drug packaging?

Among the findings presented at a January 8 hearing of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was this disturbing FDA estimate: Some 1.3 million people are injured each year in the U.S.

March 31, 1998

Containers

FDA OKs new food-specific health claim

Package labels for foods containing soluble fiber from psyllium-seed husks may include a claim that consumption of the product can reduce the risks of heart disease when part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, according to a ruling from the Food and Drug Administration that is effective immediately.

March 31, 1998

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

Mobile blister packager

The EZ Blister(TM) from UK-based Sepha Products (Irvine, CA) is a semi-automatic blister packer for pharmaceutical use. Separate stations form, seal and cut/perforate blisters.

February 28, 1998

Containers

Lotion container

The Oval Modified Eurotube, a high-gloss HDPE container for lotions and cremes, has been developed by W. Braun (Chicago, IL). The container is 115 mL (3.88 oz) with a 22/400 finish.

February 28, 1998

Closures

Lotion pump

The SAR SGS high-output lotion pump from SeaquistPerfect Dispensing (Cary, IL) is now available. The actuator locks in the upright position, thereby eliminating the possibility of product waste associated with down-locking pumps.

February 28, 1998

Controls & Machine Components

Valve bag applicator

Model 511 is an automatic valve bag applicator from Stone Container (Chicago, IL) that automates the placement of empty valve bags on the filling tubes of two-, three-, or four-tube valve bag packers.

February 28, 1998

Converting equipment

Resin price protection

At least two firms are now offering hedging services for packagers that buy or manufacture large volumes of rigid or flexible plastic packaging. Such risk management services allow packagers to purchase price-protection contracts for plastic resins, mitigating the effects of resin price fluctuations over a fixed period of time.

February 28, 1998

Protective/transport packaging

Protective packaging

Geoami is a 100% post-consumer recycled paper cushioning material that acts as protective wrap or void fill for products during shipping. From Cardinal Container (Schaumburg, IL), this material is composed of a web of hexagonal, angled cells said to deflect shock from goods.

February 28, 1998