Zipbox contract fills for CPG market testing

Zipbox, a joint venture between T.H.E.M. and Zip-Pak, announces the delivery of the first proof-of-principal cartoner to facilitate short-run production of the Zipbox package.

The capability will enable consumer packaged goods companies (CPGs) to source filled Zipbox packages from T.H.E.M.'s FDA-registered facility in Marlton, NJ, for consumer insights, product shelf-life and other testing. The Zipbox format combines the stability of a carton with the convenience of a reclosable flexible package.

"Bringing a brand new package format to market can be challenging for brand managers," says Neil Kozarsky, president of T.H.E.M. "As we learned with our stick pack business, by enabling short-run production, we can provide guidance to companies who want to implement the Zipbox, allowing them to conduct necessary research and bring it to market faster."

Zipbox is a poly-coated paperboard carton incorporating an attached flexible film header containing a DoubleZip zipper profile. The proof-of-principal cartoner, from Yeaman Machine Technologies, erects the container, fills product through the bottom and seals the carton. Zipbox is designed to facilitate direct-filling of products without the need for an inner liner. By removing the liner, the package style can hold up to 40 percent more contents, maximizing the product-to-package ratio and cube utilization to reduce transportation costs.

"The Zipbox concept has generated considerable excitement from CPGs and consumers as an intuitive, easy-to-use carton unlike any package style on store shelves today," adds Frank Kelly, business manager of Zipbox. "Demonstrating the ability to produce Zipbox on a broad scale is the next step in revolutionizing the way products are brought to market."

Zipbox is suitable for a variety of consumer applications, including cereals, snacks, cookies, frozen foods, pet foods and powdered laundry detergents.

Source: Zip-Pak