NEW MATERIALS April 2012

Syringes with in-mold labels

In-mold labeling (IML) on a medical syringe barrel can foil counterfeiters of injectable pharmaceuticals in pre-filled syringes. In-mold labeling offers a number of benefits to pharmaceutical brand owners interested in protecting their intellectual property, including the ability to create a label with special inks that will only be revealed under special black lights. The label can also be coded so that each syringe has its own identity and the polymer label actually becomes a part of the syringe barrel, making it impossible to remove the label and replace it with a counterfeit one, the company states. Label placement accuracy is within +/-0.010 in.
CBW Automation, 970-229-9500. www.cbwautomation.com

Recycle-friendly labels

Recycle-friendly labels

Three Fasson label constructions have met the protocol requirements of the Assn. of Post-consumer Plastic Recyclers (APR) for the recycling of PET thermoformed containers. The constructions are (1) 54# semi-gloss paper with AT-1 adhesive, (2) 2.0 mil clear BOPP film with S2001 adhesive and (3) 2.6 mil white BOPP film with S490 adhesive. The APR protocol was designed to improve recycling efficiencies and the quality of post-consumer plastics. The new protocol evaluates thermoform labels and adhesives to help advance greater recyclability by identifying pressure-sensitive laminates that satisfy the need to adhere and be removed prior to recycling, the company states.
Avery Dennison, 440-534-4846. www.averydennison.com

Grippable large bottles

Grippable large bottles

New DeepGrip bottles allow the manufacture of large size PET containers-with a deep recess for easy handling-as an alternative to traditional extrusion blow-molded HDPE bottles with integrated handles. Developed in partnership with Sidel, the bottles can be produced in sizes up to 7 L with a deep recess on each side, creating an effective integral handle. End markets include dairy, juice, edible oils, motor oils and home and personal care.
APPE Packaging, +44 1978 317 350. www.appepackaging.com

ESD protective packaging

ESD protective packaging
Air-cushioning materials AIRplus and FOAMplus foam padding are now available in an ESD (electrostatic discharge) film version for on-demand protective packaging of electronic components or other products that need shielding from static electricity. Previously, ESD bags or ESD bubble wrap from the roll were readily available, but there was a lack of products for use with on-demand systems. These new materials can be used with the company's equipment solutions, from single work stations to automated infeed packaging systems.
Storopack, 513-874-0314. www.storopack.us

Reflective designs

Reflective designs

RefleXions gives consumer product companies freedom to apply highly reflective design elements to their packaging. RefleXions uses patent-pending technology in an in-line printing process to offer a cost-effective alternative to metallized polyester, metallized transfer or hot foil stamping. Reflective design elements can now be efficiently and selectively applied in a single process.
AGI-Shorewood, 203-541-8100. www.agishorewood.com

Pharmaceutical dosage counter

Pharmaceutical dosage counter
The e-Dose Counter is a cost-effective solution that meets regulatory recommendations for nasal and sub-lingual spray delivery of controlled substances, according to its maker. The use of electronics allows the counting display to be large and highly visible, making it suitable for patients of all conditions and ages. Electronics can also provide patient comfort features such as acoustic feedback and flashing displays to inform and warn.
Aptar Pharma, 845-639-3700. www.aptar.com/pharma

Plastic tube/can

Plastic tube/can

Transparent easy-open "ring pull tube" is available as an alternative to metal cans for dry products. The package is supplied with the ring-pull closure in place, ready for bottom filling and subsequent sealing with a tamper-evident base plug. The container is available with customer branding for both small and large production runs.
Visican, +44 121 359 8800. www.visican.co.uk

Cleanroom-made pouches

Cleanroom-made pouches

Pouches are made in the U.S. in a new ISO Class 8 cleanroom from rollstock produced at the same facility. This vertical integration creates a domestic supply of packaging for pharmaceutical, medical device and diagnostic/life-science manufacturers who are also looking for ways to reduce the number of contaminants that come in contact with their products.
Rollprint, 800-276-7629. www.rollprint.com

Anti-counterfeiting software

Anti-counterfeiting software

New anti-counterfeit encryption software, which keeps all information securely encrypted in a data capacitor, is the world's first micro database-less technology, the company claims. When applied to products in any data capacitor (such as 2D bar code or RFID tag), the non-mathematical encryption has substantial marketing potential, capabilities in gray market detection and the ability to track and trace individual items through the supply chain.
Six Degrees Counterfeit Prevention, 818-570-1277. www.6dcp.com

Ovenable rollstock

Ovenable rollstock

New Cryovac Oven Ease rollstock runs on most traditional rollstock thermoforming equipment and allows easy changeovers. This makes it easier for food processors to offer consumer-convenient ovenable products without incurring the expense of new equipment. The benefits of ovenable material are simplified preparation, faster and unattended cooking, and easier cleanup for busy consumers. The Oven Ease rollstock material is suitable for poultry and boneless beef and pork roast cuts, including pre-seasoned or marinated items. Cooking temperatures can withstand 375 deg F for a maximum of four hours. With exceptional clarity and the same vacuum packaging properties as the existing premade Oven Ease ovenable bag, the ovenable film ensures the product is freezer-ready and accommodates cook-from-raw or reheat applications. After cooking, Oven Ease rollstock offers impressive holding time, keeping items hot in the package long after being removed from the oven.
Sealed Air, 800-845-3456. www.sealedair.com; www.ovenease.com

Flexible packaging

Flexible packaging

The company offers 10-color process printed laminations for baking and snack food applications that help maximize a product's shelf-impact through eye-catching colors and high-end designs while maintaining freshness. For one-time use packages, such as single-serve snack bags, the company has developed seals that are strong enough to preserve the product yet are still easy for consumers to open. For reclosable packages, zipper solutions are available and are easy-to-open while maintaining product freshness and quality.
Star Packaging Corp., 800-252-5414. www.starpackagingcorp.com

Thermal shippers

Thermal shipper

As part of the company's Chaperon line of thermal shipping containers, the Sentry 400 FlightSafe unit contains globally compatible cellular technology that enables it to communicate from virtually any location on the globe for track-and-trace. It transmits the information to a server where the customer can access the information through Vision, its secure web-based portal, and determine the location and condition of the container in near-real time. The unit can also detect lid open/close, ambient temperature, shock, motion, vibration, pressure and (optionally) humidity.
Intelligent Thermal Solutions, 888-465-6342. www.intelligentthermalsolutions.com

Polypropylene clarifier

Polypropylene clarifier

The Millad NX 8000 clarifier enables PP to be processed at significantly lower temperatures vs standard clarified PP. These cooler temperatures allow a reduction in energy use and associated CO₂ emissions while maintaining the brighter, cleaner appearance of clarified PP. The product enables broader use of PP-a low-density, easily recycled plastic-to replace less-sustainable materials in packaging applications.
Milliken, 864-503-2020. www.milliken.com

Chemical-barrier containers

Chemical-barrier containers

Baritainers, for corrosive and difficult-to-contain liquid chemicals, are a packaging alternative to fluorinated HDPE containers that avoids the potential failure of fluorinated packaging while reducing a product's carbon footprint. No post-manufacturing treatment is needed at a secondary facility, so Baritainers save greenhouse gas emissions by shipping directly to a packaging facility. Baritainers combine Quoral barrier resin and a proprietary production process. By processing under well-defined conditions using specially adapted extrusion equipment, polyamide (PA) is stretched into thin lamellas in a PE matrix. This creates an integrated layered structure, where a multitude of overlapping PA platelets guarantee improved permeation results, the company states.
Barrier Plastics, 949-380-1611. www.barrierplastics.com

Microflute board

Microflute board

MirriNor, a metallized microflute board, is a joint venture between Smurfit Kappa and Celloglas that combines Mirri Bio Film with T-Flute. MirriNor decorative effects are created using the Color-Logic metallic film printing process. The product is targeted at brand managers in the luxury goods and gift pack markets to performance engineer packaging while removing cost because of the light weight of the board as well as the ease with which it can be printed.
Smurfit Kappa, 954-516-2600. www.smurfitkappa.com

Dispensing cap

Dispensing cap

Tap-The-Cap universal dispensing bottle cap for supplements offers the ability to add a vitamin shot to enrich mineral water. The universal cap-capsule can be pushed on all bottles of plain water. For a self-made vitamin mixture, a vitamin can be packed in either a Tap-The-Cap dispensing cap or any other brand of mineral water.
Tap-The-Cap, 818-472-2311. www.tapthecap.com

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