Food packaging – a new twist
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A well-designed food package closure not only keeps the contents safe and accessible, it also makes a product more appealing.
Huhtamaki Oyj
One of the many elements of safe food packaging is the closure mechanism. As well as guaranteed food safety, consumers also expect convenience from the food packaging, and easy opening and re-closing are the aspects of a well functioning – and safe – package.
Tamper evidence
Tamper evidence mechanisms are now a vital part of food packaging. ‘Tamper evidence is increasing in importance, and it has already been on the agenda of the industrial packers for some time,’ says Petri Rolig, group research and development manager for consumer packaging company Huhtamaki. ‘The packaging and its contents set the requirements for the tamper evidence solution. For plastic containers – used for ice cream and margarine packaging, for example – a good breakable lock provides optimal tamper evidence, whereas ready meals and baby food, in most cases, require a separate lidding film.’
Huhtamaki has developed a single-portion package for the away-from-home market for Andros, a French manufacturer of fruit purees and jams. The package is targeted mainly at small children. Andros Snack, a solid fruit concentrate, is sold in 100g ‘bottles’ and is perfect for kids’ afternoon snacks during school or day-care breaks. In most cases the bottle-form, one-portion packs are produced using injection blow moulding. However, this is a relatively expensive technology, and due to its mono-layer characteristics, it does not deliver the important barrier properties needed.
The shape of the new bottle packaging is unique, with high barrier properties. The rim is closed with a separate aluminium foil lidding and kids can easily open the foil and enjoy the puree directly out of the bottle. The application utilises form-fill seal technology. Huhtamaki supplies the barrier sheet, and after thermoforming the product is sleeved and sealed in-line.
Twist-lock mechanism
Huhtamaki introduced the Twister bowl for salad in 2004. This packaging concept has a unique thermoformed twist-lock lid mechanism similar to those on jars and bottles. The closure makes the packaging exceptionally easy, safe and convenient to use. It closes tightly, opens easily and is spill proof in take-away use.
Rolig says: ‘We can use the same lid closing mechanism for most packaging. The main area requiring development work is in the rim diameter. We can make a twist-lock closure for many types of containers, but very small rim diameters still pose a challenge.’
The company sees interesting applications for the twist-lock, especially in the snack market where the eating-on-the-move trend shows strong growth. Adults, as well as children, consume more and more snacks during the day. In this segment, packaging plays an important role, both in influencing choice and in enhancing user convenience. In short, the packaging has to be attractive and functional. The twist-lock mechanism is suitable for salted peanuts, biscuits, sweets and anything that can be carried easily and might benefit from a re-closeable lid.
Single-lid solution
Huhtamaki is also working on solutions that enable a packaging to have one multifunctional lid. Rolig says: ‘This is interesting from the cost-efficiency point of view. With only one lid that seals the packaging and also re-closes it effectively, there is no need for double lidding. From the packers point of view, this means less material and, most importantly, fewer phases in the packaging process.’
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The Twister salad bowl with twist-on lid |
Company profile
Huhtamaki is a leading supplier of rigid and flexible plastic, paperboard and moulded fibre packaging for processed and fresh foods.
Further information
Huhtamaki Oyj
Tel: +358 9 686 881
Fax: +358 9 660 622
Email: info.hq@fi.huhtamaki.com
Website:www.huhtamaki.com
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