Conveying & accumulation

A new twist on blisters

It's called a platform blister and it saves Peterson Mfg. Co. up to 10¢ per package over its former clamshell pack. A 16-position automatic heat sealer pays for itself in a year.

October 31, 1996

Materials: Page 823

Cartoning

'In-sourcing' revitalizes Gumtech

By thermoforming, filling and sealing blister packs of nutraceutical gums in-house, Gumtech can package products as needed, replacing the two- or three-week advance notice necessary for a contract packager. Payback in 18 months justifies the equipment purchase.

October 31, 1996

Blisters/clamshells/thermoforming materials

Supplier news: Domestic acquisitions, agreements

Tuscarora, Inc. (New Brighton, PA) acquired thermoformer FormPac Corp. (Sandusky, OH).

October 31, 1996

Cartoning

Mary Kay unscrambles labor-intensive line

An automated bottle unscrambler saves Mary Kay $120ꯠ/yr in labor costs on itsBody Care packaging line. Newer filler accommodates a variety of bottle shapesand sizes, cap configurations and liquid product viscosities.

October 31, 1996

Flexibles

Mary Kay unscrambles labor-intensive line

Besides speed, any equipment on the Body Care line must fit into Mary Kay's packaging philosophy, which places a premium on flexibility. That's understandable.

October 31, 1996

Feeding/inserting/unscrambling

Food retailers like OPS tub for in-store applications

Wilkinson extrudes and thermoforms a two-piece tub with a snap-fit seal that keeps food fresh. Resin consistency and the right copolymer modifier help a lot.

October 31, 1996

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Hershey kisses NLEA headaches goodbye

Graphic designer at Hershey Chocolate uses software nutrition kit to simplify compliance with NLEA regulations.

October 31, 1996

Blisters/clamshells/thermoforming materials

Supplier news: Domestic acquisitions, agreements

Berkley Packaging Industries (La Mirada, CA) has formed Berkley Medical Industries (San Marcos, CA) by acquiring thermoformer Schneider Plastics, Inc.

October 31, 1996

Conveying & accumulation

Bundlers shrink Price Pfister's material expenses

By shrink bundling boxed faucets rather than packing them into a corrugated master shipper, Price Pfister saves on material costs, while increasing efficiency and freeing up warehouse space.

October 31, 1996

Secondary Packaging

Metallocenes make their mark

Steelcase Inc. uses one of the first-available metallocene stretch films for wrapping cubicle wall panels. Downgauging keeps costs in check.

October 31, 1996

Coding, Printing & Labeling

machinery/labeling

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is reviewing its labeling requirements for drugs, medical devices and biologics to ensure that health practitioners and patients are provided with what the agency believes is more thorough than what's currently provided.

October 31, 1996

Flexibles

Food is pasteurized by ultra-high pressure

When it comes to pasteurizing and preserving foods, few methods are as tried and true as thermal processing. But now Avomex, Inc., is selling fresh avocado pulp, in a clear barrier pouch, that has a 30-day refrigerated shelf life thanks to a whole new processing technology: ultra-high pressure.

October 31, 1996

Protective/transport packaging

Supplier news: International agreements

Free-Flow Packaging Corp. (Redwood City, CA) has opened a loosefill manufacturing plant in Shanghai, China.

October 31, 1996