Practical and stylish productshighlight versatility and originality

Guala Closures’ exciting new Viiva™ screw cap for sparkling wineshas several consumer and catering use benefits, beyond its openability andsparkle retention properties. It can dramatically increases the opportunitiesfor by-the-glass sales; eliminates cork taint; is easy to use for functionswhere sparkling wine is needed on a large scale; and offers no spillage orleaking during transportation or storage once the bottle has been re-closed –even when laid on its side in the fridge.

Guala Closures’Viiva™ was also awarded an Alufoil Trophy 2013 in the Product Preservationcategory. (See page below)

The 3 ply Capsteril®alufoil laminate closure from VaassenFlexible Packaging, in combination with the Sensocap® screw cap fromAmpack, improves shelf life of aseptic products, without requiring a separatepeeling process for the foil membrane, which is retained as a cushion in thescrew cap to aid resealing. The presence of alufoil in the laminate enablespre-heating of the capping foil which aids the heat generation required to killany bacteria present.

Additionally research shows that consumers would rather haveonly one closure and do not like a sealing membrane having to be removed asadditional step. An integrated closure system in an aseptic environment, hasnot been successful until now, say the companies.

FOILis a very original concept and application which designer Tiziana Lorenzelliand converter Carcano Antonio havecreated from alufoil material. Achieved by laminating two varnished lacqueredsheets with a polyethylene film and embossing one side, the resulting materialcan be shaped into a vase or similar container for flowers or Ikebana. Theshape depends upon the imagination and skill of the consumer and can be alteredto accommodate different displays.

Theproduct not only expands the horizons for the use of alufoil, with thepotential of taking it into new markets, it was felt that no other materialcould be used for this concept. The designer undertook research of variousgauges of alufoil, as well as the surface finish and laminating processes, toensure the right look and feel as well as optimum flexibility and rigidity wereachieved.

Constantia Flexibles has designed a strikingnew single serve capsule containing a range of coffee liqueur flavours. Madefor Koninklijke De Kuyper the Cafétiquecapsule provides a 30ml serving. The alufoil lids are printed with high qualitygraphics and the capsules come in a presentation box to reinforce the luxuryimage. Aimed at the European market it is believed to be the first conveniencecoffee product of its kind to offer an alcohol content. The barrier propertiesof the aluminium capsules and lids ensure the flavour is maintained throughoutthe shelf life of the product. There is no need for barriers in the outer pack,which can focus 100% on marketing, design and other factors.

A new flow pack material, HiPer Wrap, created by ConstantiaFlexibles, offers an alternative to film-based flow wrap for theconfectionery sector which is capable running on high speed lines at 400 unitsper minute, while offering improved barrier functionality. HiPer Wrap offersalufoil manufacturers an opportunity to re-enter this market segment after someyears when it was not regarded as the first choice for some confectioneryproducts.

Thecoextruded aluminium foil can be used on a standard folding machine, but canalso operate on a flow wrapping machine where, until now, only filmapplications have been possible. In addition there are potential energy savingsthrough lower seal temperatures, as well as the improved product protection,due to the versatile properties of aluminium foil.

Guala Closurespicked up its second award for the Viiva™screw cap, an aluminium closure specifically designed for high pressuresparkling wines. The closure guarantees pressure retention before and after thefirst opening. It will keep a sparkling wine’s correct level of carbonation (orfizz) for weeks after opening.

The screw cap offers much improved security against spillageor leaking during transportation or storage once the bottle has been re-closed.Being just one component, Viiva™ has clear advantages over traditional closuresfor sparkling wines, yet looks and performs like a regular screw cap. Also itis easy to apply using the same equipment as for still wines and therecyclability of aluminium is an environmental benefit.

Guala Closures’Viiva™ also won an Alufoil Trophy 2013 in the Consumer Convenience category.(See above)

Amcor Flexibleslatest advance in its Formpack®blister pack, the Advanced BlisterDesign is based on an existing blister pack, but re-engineered so that thematerial consumption has been reduced by more than 30% in volume, whileimproving the moisture protection of the drug by over 40%.

The base foil is a multiple layer laminate with a core of45µm thick alufoil. The lid foil is made from alufoil of 25µm thickness,lacquered on both sides. Together they provide a complete barrier againstmoisture.

Inthe new blister design the perforations between the single cavities have beenremoved, improving the resistance to moisture diffusion considerably. Also thishas enabled six tablets, rather than the previous 4, to be packed in a blisterwith identical dimensions.

A new lidding concept, which reduces the lid material clearlyshows how advances in material technology are making possible bettersustainability without loss of performance. Die Cut Lid 2020 introduced by ConstantiaFlexibles, a co-extrusion coated lid is composed of a thin aluminium layerof 20 micron and a proprietary co-extrusion coating. Die Cut Lid 2020 issealable against PP-cups and is available embossed or unembossed. Constantiaclaim it is the first die cut lidding product to use only 20 micron foil.

A new lidding concept, which reduces the lid material clearlyshows how advances in material technology are making possible bettersustainability without loss of performance. Foil Pillow Lid® from HuhtamakiFlexible Packaging Europe, offers improved tear resistance, outstandingstamping characteristics, along with 100% sealing resistance, while maintainingmaximum barrier properties, and using less foil. An embedded polymer cushionbetween two thin aluminium foils allows Foil Pillow Lid® to be ultra-flexiblecompared to rigid aluminium foil, enabling it to compensate better for anyunevenness during the sealing process, without loss of machinability.

Amcor Flexiblesconsiders its Alufix® Dry Smartmembrane to be a major step forward in its overall effort to increase packagingconvenience while reducing the carbon footprint of packaging materials. Themembrane is both BPA and melamine free and uses PVC-free heat seal lacquer. Itis designed to be sealed at high speed without modifying the machines. Theparticular challenge in the development of Alufix® Dry Smart was the conversionto a new solventless and PVC-free lacquering system while retaining theexcellent mechanical properties of the membrane, such as burst-pressure, smoothpeel and heat/temperature resistance, all at a competitive price level.

A preformed, aluminium foil based coquille, manufactured by Constantia Flexibles/Hueck, for hotfilling of Kraft’s Philadelphia classico/light cream cheese, is formed to arectangle shape, or ‘Philly Brick’,using a machine specially designed by Alpma. Easy opening is achieved bypulling tabs on the longitudinal seal. Constantia says the laminate has verygood foldable characteristics, is stable enough for filling, is tear-resistantand can be rotogravure printed and embossed. The new design means the pack iscompletely sealed, allowing the alufoil to improve the overall barrierperformance.

The ‘Feinschmecker-pouch’,made by Constantia Flexibles forUnilever’s Knorr dry soup range, scored highly for Technical Innovation,Consumer Convenience and Marketing + Design to make it stand out as aninnovative use of alufoil.

 It is claimed as thefirst peelable, bottom gusseted pouch, which offers a new format in dry foodapplications. Due to the combination of two flaps and easy peel opening theconsumer can open the pouch in a very convenient way without the need ofadditional equipment such as scissors. Also, as the pack does not get splitinto two pieces when opening the branding remains intact and guarantees thefull readability of the food preparation instructions, content description,shelf life dates and other information.

The Rescuetecpack, made by Protective Packaging,is capable of regenerating mobiles phones or other electronic devices whichhave been damaged by immersion in water or other aqueous liquids. It was feltto be a highly novel application of alufoil’s barrier properties.

The pack contains an indicator plus a unique desiccantsachet. The desiccant is extremely powerful and extracts every molecule ofwater from any component which is placed in the pack. The foil pouch laminateis heat sealable, as during the pack assembly the desiccant sachet andindicator are rapidly inserted through the open end of the pouch, which is thenhermetically sealed. A zip lock is sealed during the drying process but allowsaccess to the indicating system to confirm the removal of every water moleculehas been completed.