Bi-fold clamshell hits the winning mark for Bic

Bic's Mark-It(TM) reusable bi-fold clamshell, which brings originality to Milford, CT-based Bic USA's permanent marker segment with its reusable storage case, netted Best in Show by judges in The Institute of Packaging Professionals' (IoPP) [www.iopp.org] 2006 AmeriStar Award packaging competition. Chosen from 46 winners across multiple categories, the transparent clamshell, thermoformed by SCA Consumer Packaging (www.scapackaging.alloyd.com), opens to reveal three panels of markers in a rainbow of colors. Made of 20-mil clear Pentaform(R) polyvinyl chloride from Klöckner Pentaplast of America, Inc. (www.kpfilms.com), the package is labeled with large pressure-sensitive spot labels front and back to draw visual attention to the 36 permanent markers inside. Die-cut with a hanger hole for rack merchandising, the functional package opens up like an art palette to display the markers for handy selection and use. The clamshell is reclosable, with mating snap seals, and is formed with friction-fit notches and wells that hold each marker in its place securely. Says SCA's Pat Conley, project engineer/team leader, "The pens are arranged so that the bi-fold opens like a book and the panels function like a stand." The middle panel also features a storage cavity for extra erasers, pencils or other items. PD hears that the pens are a winner with consumers as well as with the IoPP judges.