Equipment Round-Up: Packaging materials

Potlatch Corp.;
208-799-1262; www.potlatchcorp.com Lewiston, Idaho

Pack absorbs oxygen

FreshPax is an oxygen absorber to protect packaged foods and other products against spoilage, mold growth, color change, rancidity, loss of nutritive values, insect damage and loss of quality. Produced in packet form using food grade ingredients, FreshPax irreversibly absorbs oxygen inside sealed packaging to less than 0.01 percent and maintains this level.

Multisorb Technologies;
716-824-8900; www.multisorb.com Buffalo, N.Y.

Spoilage-detecting smart label

Inspired by military defense sensor research, the FreshQ smart label detects foodborne bacteriological levels in packaged fresh meat and poultry right through the wrap. The inner portion of the quality “Q” on the label changes color when bacteria levels indicate that the food is spoiled. It is made of food grade materials and costs less than 1 percent of the total value of the food that it labels.

Food Quality Sensor International;
781-862-3710; www.fqsinternational.com Lexington, Mass.

Lid with a-peel

EZ Peel opening technology gives consumers easier access to products while processors have the ability to control the lid’s peel characteristics. Its proprietary sealant widens the lid’s processing window by +/- 15°F while preventing “lock up” seals associated with other forms of peelable lidding. The retortable lid withstands the retort process while maintaining superior moisture and barrier protection.

Curwood Inc.;
920-303-7300; www.curwood.com Oshkosh, Wis.

Economical screw cap

An economical new screw cap, the Elo-Cap US is available in a variety of colors to complement carton graphics. Dairies don’t have to adjust their present cartons or filling equipment to use the product, and the cap has an inside pull-ring that makes the carton more tamper-evident. It uses resin very efficiently, so it’s cost-effective even when resin prices are high.

Elopak Inc.;
248-486-4601; www.elopak.com New Hudson, Mich.

Barrier absorbs oxygen

Shelfplus O2 oxygen absorbers are incorporated in multilayer packaging without major changes in the package design or fabrication equipment. These “active” barrier materials are able to absorb unwanted oxygen in polyolefin packaging, and they enable packaging of oxygen-sensitive products when plastic packaging is used. It’s a moisture-activated system that works most effectively with products that have a relative humidity of 70 percent or higher.

Ciba Specialty Chemicals;
914-785-2000; www.cibasc.com/packaging Tarrytown, N.Y.

Chill the beer

The vendor’s Melinex film is the key to the “Cool2Go” wrap being used by Labatt Blue beer in its Cold One can, introduced last year. The wrap was created by placing a polymer insulation between two layers of Melinex. The patented process results in a thin thermal barrier that keeps beer colder longer. The added layer of insulation also makes Labatt Blue Cold One cans more comfortable to hold.

DuPont Packaging;
302-774-1161; www2.dupont.com/Packaging Wilmington, Del.

Aseptic dispenser

Liquid can be dispensed from a flexible bag or pouch without bacteria or oxygen entering the package. With the Fresh Flow Tap, beverage, flowable foods and pharmaceutical products can be safely dispensed from flexible packages without breaking sterility, and the need for refrigeration and preservatives is reduced or eliminated. The product can travel through aseptic fillers and withstand the highest levels of irradiation and steam sterilization required by the food and beverage and medical industries.

International Dispensing;
410-761-0070; www.idcdispensing.com Hanover, Md.