CAPS & CLOSURES: Closures designed to attract make a lasting impression

1 December 2009



Through our fingers we develop an intimate relationship with the closure or fastening of a container or package - it is a key component of a successful design. Joanne Hunter reports


Resealable flexible packaging gives convenience and portion control, prolongs product freshness and for a brand owner extended exposure to the name. Technologies are constantly evolving to shopping trends.

There are zipper technologies for powdered products, frozen applications, high temperature applications such as retort and microwave, and for bulk goods.

Coffee has proved a hit in re-sealable pouches. Dried powder products in pouches can benefit from hydroscopic fasteners, which allow powder to re-enter the pack so the zip mechanism works unimpaired.

Resealing can delay the time when packaging is binned. Consumers see the brand for longer, imprinting the name on the memory. If the packaging functions well, they will buy it again.

The ease and comfort of using a premium resealable feature makes a good and lasting impression, argues Zip-Pak.

Packaging should be viewed in totality – as customers view it. No feature can be afterthought not least the reseal function, says Zip-Pak.

Film choice, application technology, laminate, combined with a state-of-the art pressure sensitive coating, providing easy access to the product.

The slider serves as a visual clue and an intuitive means of opening and closing a package, and requires little or no other communication.

Zip-Pak developed slider technology for integration into the ‘fin seal’ of an overwrap-style package. The new format enables opening and resealing down the centre of packages for a wider opening and easier access to contents. Target markets are health and beauty moist wipes, cookies and biscuits, and sliced meats.

Amcor offers ‘more for less’

The Amcor re-close solution, E-Close is a two-sided, partially perforated laminate, combined with a state-of-theart pressure sensitive coating, providing easy access to the product.

A wide variety of pack styles including SUP, flowpack and Stabilo Seal can use E-close applied by existing packing equipment without adjustments. It also ‘perfectly’ combines with Amcor lidding films, adds the company.

Its benefits are said to include cost savings and waste reduction, a simplified packing production process and an eye-catching and ‘unique’ product.

After this year’s introduction into confectionery with Vivil and Sun Rice products, a further roll out of Amcor EClose into various markets is scheduled for early 2010, Bart Klaver, business development manager at Amcor told Packaging Today.

Crown Speciality Packaging is targeting the industrial and decorative markets with a ‘cost effective’ closing system for safely transporting and storing tapered metal pails containing paint and hazardous liquids such as chemicals.

The Topexpand system results in a tight and tamper-evident seal thanks to a pneumatic closing head which expands the lid and the container body into the closed locking ring. A filler can use the same closing equipment for diameters from 163.5mm (2.5 litre) up to 300mm (30 litre) without the need for change-over.

Fully automated Topexpand can be easily integrated in existing filling lines, to reduce labour costs, improve production efficiency and speed time to market, Crown claims.

Topexpand meets UN certification requirements for the transportation of dangerous goods. The system is suitable for cleanroom operation.

‘Wings’ on the sides of the combiSmart screw cap (pictured p18) give a firmer grip for easier opening of small size aseptic carton packs. A more secure closure after initial opening and a smooth pouring action are further benefits says SIG Combibloc.

The three-part combiSmart consists of a flange, integrated cutting ring and a screw cap. The closure is applied to the closed and sealed carton pack by an applicator after the aseptic filling process. The cutting ring in the flange slices through the coated board ‘cleanly and effortlessly’ with a single twist.

The switch has been made in Germany by Milch Union Hocheifel and Immergut; in Poland by dairy company SM Gostyn and in Russia by Unimilk.

For medicine bottles and vials Gerresheimer has developed tamper-evident twist-action closures and measuring caps suitable for PE and PET products and also a moulded glass range.

The new cap systems have been ‘carefully co-ordinated in compliance with international regulations’. The PP28 Cap with an interior diameter of 28mm weighs 3.5g and can be used with pharmaceutical plastic and glass bottles. A companion PP28 measuring cup for liquid medicine is calibrated from 2.5 to 20ml. The PP18 Cap weighing two grammes is for PE and PET products with 18ml necks.

In principle, whenever possible customers are served from a single source, partly due to safety. The registration process becomes more complicated with each packaging component from an additional supplier, the company says.

The Spanish pharma plastics specialist Gerresheimer Zaragoza became a subsidiary of the group in 2008, with expertise in PET bottles and vials but not closures.

“This expansion is a perfect example of successful integration,” says Burkhard Lingenberg, director of marketing and communication for Gerresheimer. “It not only gives our own divisions a competitive advantage but also benefits our customers.”


CombiSmart: Winged for easier opening CombiSmart The Amcor E-close Amcor Crown’s Topexpand closing system for safe handling of paints Topexpand

Amcor Amcor
CombiSmart CombiSmart
Topexpand Topexpand


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