Materials: Page 786

Flexible packaging

Vertical f/f/s system

The Circle Model V16H106D vertical form/fill/seal system from Sasib Packaging (DePere, WI) packages a variety of liquid products in flexible pouches at speeds to 600 pouches/min.

November 30, 1997

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

Blister packaging machines

Key Intl. (Englishtown, NJ) has developed the Ministar(TM) thermoforming/cold forming blister packaging machines. They handle a variety of materials, including PVC, PVDC, PET and aluminum.

November 30, 1997

Sustainability

Environmental resin

EcoClear(TM) resin from Wellman (Shrewsbury, NJ) is designed to be an environmental alternative to virgin PET resins, and it's comparable in quality and cost, the company says.

November 30, 1997

Containers

Intermediate bulk container

The Sonobulk® SL7 is an IBC from Sonoco Industrial Container Div. (Marietta, GA) for transporting liquid products. A series of reinforcing ribs are designed to ensure extra strength for racking and to minimize cage bulging.

November 30, 1997

Flexibles

Vittel taps foodservice markets in Europe, U.S.

French mineral water bottler fills unusual in-mold-labeled thermoformed cup and lid for McDonald's outlets. Vittel also fills PET and glass bottles that are exported to the U.S. foodservice market.

November 30, 1997

Flexibles

3M saves bundles with new bundle

The Audio and Video Products Div. of St. Paul, MN-based 3M Co. has scored an impressive victory in packaging source reduction. This leading producer of bulk videotape for the film duplication industry designed a returnable and reusable package for its products that: * eliminates 1.4 million cu' of waste annually, * reduces the number of packaging components from 11 to three, * reduces the variety of packaging materials from five to two, * reduces labor costs not only in 3M's Hutchinson, MN, plant but at its customers' plants, too, and, * saves $4 million annually in packaging costs.

November 30, 1997

Coding, Printing & Labeling

For Arizona, packaging is the medium and message

The secret behind a series of drop-dead gorgeous packages? Packaging decisions are made at the highest levels of a company that's willing to spend big.

November 30, 1997

Flexible packaging

Vitamins in a vacuum

Vacuum packages of vitamin tablets in foil, believed to be a first, provide Amway's Nutrilite Div. with a unique look for Pacific Rim markets.

November 30, 1997

Sustainability

Treated paper focuses on foodservice

Treated paperboard containers provide grease resistance and reduce material use and costs for pizza and breadsticks.

November 30, 1997

Flexibles

Supplier news: Achievements

Pactiv Inc.-AVI's (Glens Falls, NY) CouchPouch(TM) received a Sequoia Award, which recognizes environmentally responsible products and systems, from the Assn.

November 30, 1997

Converting equipment

HDPE-based Tropicana bottles project fresh, 'local dairy' image

In the first stage of a national roll-out, coextrusion blow-molded bottles for Tropicana FruitWise smoothies are finding a place in the refrigerated cases of supermarkets in Cleveland and several other markets.

November 30, 1997

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Congress tries to wrap up approval process

Companies using new materials would have to submit to the FDA a notification of intent to market, and the agency would have 120 days to rule. But fees are likely to be charged for the first time.

November 30, 1997