Innovation Zone Snapshot – Easy to self-administer pack keeps liquids and powders separate until usage
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#1 Easy to self-administer pack keeps liquids and powders separate until usage
Traditional methods of combining and preparing medicines offer a spectrum of difficulties and limitations. The current designs typically require multiple packaging components and complex multi-step mixing processes that can be complicated. It is also open to users making mistakes in terms of the exact dispensing required or even creating a wasteful mess. Australian leader in easy to use packaging technology Snapsil has taken steps to improve the situation with the development of a solution to improve the controlled self-administration of liquids, powders and solids. The EasyMix packaging concept has an enabling technology for therapies requiring easy and efficient mixing of products at the time of use. It can deliver benefits such as being easier for self-medication, increasing clinician efficiencies as well as the reduction in the use of vials, syringes and needles. Snapsil’s EasyMix enables fast and easy mixing and dispensing. the contents are kept separated until usage. It delivers easy opening with controlled dispensing. Snapsil’s easy to use packaging technology is versatile and can be customized to meet both specific product packaging requirements and functional needs.
#2 Cereal boxes designed for the blind and partially sighted starts trial
It has been estimated that over two million people in the UK live with sight loss and are unable to read information on products. Kellogg’s is trialling new limited-edition packaging for their Coco Pops brand to help the blind and partially sighted. The newly designed boxes have been devised in conjunction with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB). A trial in 60 Co-op stores will see technology implemented that allows consumers to use a smartphone to detect an on-pack code. This activates playback of important labelling and allergen information to the user. A technology called NaviLens is being used on food packaging for the first time having already been used to help visually impaired people navigate some Spanish city’s transport systems. If the trial is successful, Kellogg’s plans to embrace the technology for more of its cereal boxes. The World Sight Day Coco Pops cereal boxes are also embossed with braille and all the on-pack information is in a much larger font size. The trial was precipitated after research from RNIB exposed that 90% of blind and partially sighted people believe that information on food packaging is difficult or impossible to read. See also QR code Narrative Label uses 30 second audio clips and large-sized images for visually impaired.
More info in The Innovation Zone.
#3 Refill snap lid makes process easy as well as fun
Alpla Group has 20,900 employees across 46 countries. The business produces plastic packaging across the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, oil and lubricant, home and beauty care industries. The family-owned company has introduced a new refill packaging solution for concentrated cleaning chemicals. The market is shifting to concentrated formats (without water in the supply chain), which can be more cost-effective and environmentally viable. This has seen a swathe of refillable packaging innovations coming to market. Alpla’s NOW solution is safe and easy to use and is also reported to be fun for consumers to use. The initiative consists of a small bottle with liquid concentrate. NOW is lightweight weighing only 10 grams when filled with 80 millilitres, approximately half the weight of comparable competitor products for concentrates. Compared to containers for conventional cleaning products, the packaging solution saves more than 80% of the material that would otherwise be used. It has been calculated that 200,000 refill containers can be carried by a single-vehicle reducing transportation costs by up to 90%. The spray bottles can be reused multiple times. Recycled HDPE can be used to manufacture the refill container. See also At-home refill system shakes up cleaning spray market.
More info in The Innovation Zone.
#4 Date brand switches to packaging made from recycled green PET bottles
Oxnard, California-based PinnPACK is a subsidiary of CarbonLITE Holdings, the world’s largest recycler of PET beverage containers. They have been developing PET sourced from green bottles for the past four years. The recycling advancement sees the most popular brand of dates in the US switch to thermoformed tubs and lids made from recycled green PET bottles. Packer of Medjool dates, Datepac has switched from clear virgin plastic PET to 100% post-consumer green PET from beverage bottles. PinnPACK Green recycled PET containers are supplied in 12oz (341 g) and 2-pound (907 g) sizes. The thermoformed tubs and lids are sourced from green PET bottles from leading brands such as Sprite, 7-UP as well as other green-coloured beverage products. Green-coloured recycled plastics have struggled to find a home due to a lack of demand. Consumers are used to seeing clear plastic packaging where they can clearly see the contents. It means less plastic in the landfill and less use of virgin plastic. A printed label tells the story of the packaging’s recycled content. The green coloured rPET is moulded without any dyes and remains the same hue as the incoming bottles. The green rPET container can be recycled but is dependent on the capabilities of the recycling plant in any given area. PinnPack also uses the green-coloured rPET materials to manufacture salad bowls for restaurant chain Health Nut.
More info in The Innovation Zone.
Packaging question of the week
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Until next time. Happy innovating.
