The first application of the Glassleeve on the wine market is the highly attractive collectible series designed for Thorin’s 2006 Beaujolais Village Nouveau. The Glassleeve solution is proof of the group’s ability to constantly develop ad hoc technology solutions that satisfy demanding markets – in this case glass packaging – for both bottles and jars.
Glassleeve addresses the problems of the mass distribution of products in glass bottles, guaranteeing the inalterability of the decoration despite a wide variety of external conditions and operations including shocks, scratches, rubbing, and climatic changes, while continuing to provide the advantages of the Sleever. This performance is a combination of a new material and a new transformation technology.
The thermoplastic mono-oriented elastomer TPE-S 40 and 50 micron film was specifically designed by Sleever Technologies to resist the significant mechanical and chemical constraints and stresses that decoration has to undergo throughout the supply chain.
The innovative helio-engraving process is based on the use of new generation low energy (solvent free) inks that have the significant advantage of remaining neutral, and thus of not altering the support.
This decorative solution is an alternative to traditional surface techniques (lacquering, satin effects, opalisation, dyeing) and glass decoration, all in one single operation. The automated process is carried out on the latest generation of Powersleeve Evolution 4 machines with precise adjustments that make it possible to reach speeds of up to 24,000 bottles an hour at optimum quality. Glassleeve is available in heat-shrink (on Powersteam) or infrared (on Powerskinner) versions.
Sleever International provides turnkey sleeving solutions to customers worldwide across the food, pharmaceutical, beverages, drinks and beauty markets.
USFDA approves aseptic sterilant
The USFDA has approved the use of FMC Corporation’s Clarity, a peracetic acid based sterilant, in aseptic packaging of low-acid food products like milk and soy-based products. Clarity is a single-component system for a complete range of packaging materials like aluminium foil, HDPE and PET. It achieves commercial sterility at lower temperatures and chemical usages.
Sidel’s NoBottle system reduces weight
Sidel has launched its new NoBottle system, which drastically reduces weights of PET bottles. Whereas the average weight of a 500 ml. water bottle is 13 to 16 grams, the NoBottle uses a new shape, increased flexibility and shape memory to bring this down to 9.9 grams. The increased flexibility eliminates the need for ribs and all kinds of shapes can be created even on very lightweight bottles. The flexibility and compressibility also makes the bottles very easy to grip.
The NoBottle system has received the top innovation award at the 4th Global Bottled Water Congress held in Mexico City.
Gilbreth launches first PLA shrink film
Gilbreth has launched the world’s first shrink film based on corn-based polylactic acid for use in shrink sleeves and tamper bands. Called Earthfirst PLA film, Gilbreth claim that labels made from this new material offer better performance than petroleum based polymers.
WRAP and Ceetak’s new system saves up to 25% material
The Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and flexible sealing system specialist Ceetak of UK have jointly developed a new sealing technology that can reduce film usage by around 25 per cent. The new “integrity seal” system uses rapid cycles of impulse heat and chilling to make a welded seal at the top and bottom of flow-wrapped bags that is just 1 mm. wide compared to the traditional 15 mm. wide crimp seal. Marks & Spencer have already tried out this technology and adopted it on salad bags. This technology delivers better appearance and faster line speeds. The system has been tried out on 25, 30 and 35 micron thick films with good results. Combined with the ability to use thinner films, material savings could be as much as 25 per cent.
Nissei ASB develops pasteurisable PET
Nissei ASB has developed a new two-stage injection stretch blowmoulding process that delivers heat-set single-layer PET bottles that have the necessary strength to withstand pasteurisation of the carbonated contents at 65 degrees C. A shelf-life of 16 weeks has been achieved, during the course of which carbonation loss on the shelf has been claimed to be only 15 per cent. The bottle weighs only 31 grams.
Preforms are moulded on Nissei’s PM Series preform machines and preform neck crystallisation takes place on the CM-8000 preform neck crystalliser. The performs are then transferred to the ISO Series stretch blowmoulding machine for primary blowing, primary heat-setting at 180 degrees C, secondary heat-setting in an oven to improve neck and shoulder crystallinity and final blowing.
Nilpeter launches digital press
Nilpeter and FFEI of UK (a former business unit of Fujifilm) have jointly developed a modular digital print solution for labels and narrow web packaging using 4-colour process UV inkjet technology. It is called Casion and was launched at the Labelexpo Europe 2007 in Brussels. This is currently available in 330 mm. and 420 mm. widths and 508 mm. and 559 mm. wide units will be available later. The Casion uses the latest 1001 printheads from Xaar. Being a modular unit, Casion can be either integrated with Nilpeter’s flexo press lines or function as a stand alone roll-to-roll system.
Toray launch customisable Matte Polyester
Toray’s new coextruded Lumirror FA5 matte polyester film allows industrial and consumer-goods brand owners to specify the exact level of gloss required. The film combines glare reduction with excellent contact clarity by the use of a proprietary nanotechnology. FA5 film can be used for labels and pressure-sensitive structures or as a laminating film. It can also produce custom window treatments and wallpaper. The film is FDA compliant for food contact and the film surface is primed for enhanced ink adhesion so as to accept water and solvent based as well as UV curable inks. It’s tensile strength is claimed to be 50 per cent higher than conventional filled matte polyester films.
Coors Use Cold Wrap To Keep Beer Cold
Coors have launched Cold Wrap bottles with a wraparound label that reflects heat from the customer’s hand and keeps the beer cold for a longer time. The back side of the label is coated with a special coating technology developed by Outlast Technologies that creates a barrier between the bottle and the hand.
Outlast is a formulation of microencapsulated materials that are applied to fibres, fabrics and coatings to continuously absorb body heat. This causes the beer inside the bottle to remain cold longer without being affected by the heat transmitted by the customer’s hand.
Chocolate-wrapped digital information
Is it possible to have the advantages of a traditional direct mailing when the content is digital information? A Swedish invention called Expericard is a traditional postcard which has been cleverly redesigned to contain a CD or DVD and be sent by post at the lowest postal rate. The paperboard envelope functions like a postcard, with the printed cover making a strong visual impression. The unit cost is relatively low for editions of a few thousand or more.
Iggesund Paperboard is currently using Expericard to reinforce its Seduced by Invercote campaign aimed at brand owners and converters. The campaign is built around the theme chocolate, and consists of an elegant box containing a book about chocolate that focuses on the French chocolatiers Valrhona, as well as a few small examples of packaging, all showing the possibilities of Invercote. As a follow-up Iggesund is now sending out an Expericard with the same graphic theme as the previous campaign material. Inside the card is a DVD containing information about the history and making of chocolate and as an additional bonus also a copy of the film Chocolat starring Johnny Depp and Juliette Binoche. Naturally the DVD is chocolate scented.
Expericard CEO Peter Gustafsson is pleased at the focus on his product. He says that the company’s products are attracting increasing attention and recognition.
“The attraction lies primarily in the ability to use existing postal channels to distribute large amounts of digital information,” he says. “One striking example is a tour operator who cut their costs dramatically by distributing their catalogue as a DVD. It is also possible to include on the same disc additional film footage from the travel destinations.”
