Easy product access

28 October 2008



Systems for dispensing products need to be more than merely functional – they must have superior aesthetics and fulfil the needs of the changing population demographic. Packaging Today rounds up some new launches from across the product ranges.


During the past few years, there has been tremendous growth in the use of dispensing systems for a wide range of consumer products. Naturally, dispensing systems must be supremely functional – they represent the brand and failure could cause the consumer to switch to a rival. They must accurately supply the correct dose every time and minimise the extent of product residue left in the bottle. But they increasingly operate as a point of differentiation on the shelf and must incorporate innovative designs that have a novelty factor. On the other hand, the brand owner needs to use dispensing systems that are efficient to fill on the packaging line.

More than just a cap

Seaquist Closures recently supplied its Original Sports Cap to the Eastern European drinks company Kofola-Hoop for its Jupik Aqua range of bottled water, aimed at children. In September, this won the Water Innovation award for best children’s concept at the Global Bottled Water Conference in Wiesbaden, Germany. The 500ml bottle is equipped with a 28mm Original Sports Cap, featuring the SimpliSqueeze silicone beverage valve. Seaquist claims that this eliminates accidental spills and drips, as the valve opens only if the bottle is squeezed, sealing when the pressure is released. A transparent lid hygienically protects the mouthpiece. The company claims this can be easily opened by children, yet ensures a tight seal when closed. The SimpliSqueeze valve has been designed for sorting from PET in the waste strream. Firstly, the valve is coloured to make it detectable by vision systems and secondly it will float in sink tanks, widely used in PET recycling.

An airless kind of pump

Magic Star and CD Smart dispensers from RPC Bramlage-Wiko are being used by the US acne treatment brand Oxy for the dosing of shaving products. Manufactured by Mentholatum, the range of Oxy lotions and treatments are used to treat teenage male acne sufferers. The brand has recently launched a range of shaving solutions that combine Oxy deep pore cleansing with exfoliation, conditioning and sun protection. Mentholatum approached RPC, who suggested meter-dosed airless pumps. According to RPC, the Magic Star dispenser range offers controlled dosing and hygienic application across a range of viscosities, with the dispensing system providing the required product dosage in one measure.

Two sizes of Magic Star are being used – the 150ml version is being used for the Oxy Shave Cream Acne Fighting Formula, whereas the smaller 50ml variant is being used for two products – Oxy Daily Moisturiser Oil-Free SPF 15 Formula, and Oxy Post-Shave Lotion Acne Fighting Formula. The fourth product in the range is the Oxy Spot Treatment Acne Fighting Gel Formula, for which RPC suggested the 15ml size of CD Smart dispenser. This features a cylindrical body and an hourglass-shaped dispensing head. A vacuum operation is used to dispense the product. RPC supplied all dispensers in colours matching the Oxy branding – a black container, red dispenser head and clear overcap.

Clever laundry cleaning

Studio Davis, structural packaging design consultants, has developed a new packaging concept for Ariel's latest laundry product, manufactured by Proctor & Gamble, launched in October. The 'pebble' inspired pack contains a new formulation within a contemporary headstanding pack. The pack features a 'snap-on/snap-off' integrated doser, co-moulded from rubber, claimed to deliver the dose to the heart of the washing machine. The integrated flip-top closure features a luminescent spark surface finish to highlight the headstanding pack, whilst a 'visi-strip' indicates the amount of gel remaining in the pack.

According to Studio Davis, the packaging springs back into shape following dispensing, ensuring that the consumer has complete control. The closure and bottle are moulded from PP, whereas the doser is co-moulded from thermoplastic TPE. The pebble pack is filled on a high-speed 'puck' line. Richard Moore, Global Design Leader, Ariel, commented: "The pebble evolved when we really started to think about softening the brand and defining it for the future. A pebble is a natural form, affected by the elements and shaped by water. What's more, the shape is user-friendly and chic – people just want to reach out, grab it and give it a squeeze." Another design company, Webb Scarlett deVlam, recently developed another dispensing system for Ariel. The liquid detergent ball is claimed to have shelf impact and to be reusable. Furthermore, it can also be used as a stain-removing roller applicator, dispensing a high concentration of detergent.

Who kept the kids out?

Boots has relaunched its complete Vitamins range with a Child Resistant Closure (CRC) system developed by United Closures & Plastics, claimed to meet the stringent requirements of BSEN 8317:2004 for child-resistant recloseable packaging. The domed design of this new 38mm PP closure presented a challenge, as the asymmetrical shape created by the steeply slanted area for labelling affected the traditional geometry of the squeeze-and-turn closure. The required squeezing force is now critical, as there is a delicate balance between the required level of child resistance and adult opening performance. BSEN 8317:2004 narrows the adult test to those aged 50–70 years, addressing those with reduced dexterity.

The domed shape also prevented the use of traditional Lift 'n' Peel induction heat-seal liner insertion methods. A liner support structure and snap beads were designed inside the dome to overcome this problem. The lining machine was specifically developed to insert the liner from beneath the closure. CRC opening instructions are embossed on the back of the cap and UCP designed a ribbed area above the CRC pads to assist with capping this otherwise smooth closure. The Boots Vitamins range comprises three pack sizes of 75, 120 and 170ml, with the 38mm closure to fit all packs being produced in silver.

Dispensing haircare solutions

As haircare formulations are becoming increasingly sophisticated, Rieke Dispensing has just launched a new selection of dispensers, including the RS5 and Airless ranges. The company claims that its ranges meet the requirements of various product types, permitting an element of personalisation. According to the company, the RS5 is suitable for dispensing high-viscosity products with minimal effort. The locked down shippable dispenser is available with three head styles –standard, palm and an extended version for wall-mounted containers. A wide range of closures are available, including 24mm and 28mm standard neck finishes, with dosing options from 1–5ml. The body of the RS5 does not contain metal, and the company claims that it is shower-proof, preventing water ingress during usage. The valve type is selected according to the product viscosity.

The Airless Dispenser range comprises two container designs – slim-line or wide-bore. The slim-line pack is available in 50 and 100ml variants and the wide-bore pack in 50, 100, 150 and 200ml sizes. The company states that both pack sizes can deliver optional doses of 0.5, 1, 1.5 or 2ml, being supplied in natural, transparent and coloured combinations, facilitating personalisation. The dispensers incorporate a preassembled one-piece follower piston and are designed to pump air via a unique valve system. Reike states that the top-filling dispensing pack facilitates simple operation and, following dispensing, an innovative suckback feature pulls product back into the nozzle for clean, hygienic use. According to the company, these airless dispensers are ideal for dispensing air- and oxygen-sensitive products and the non-metal construction eliminates adverse reactions with ingredients.

Keep young and beautiful

Rexam has launched a pump and bottle combination for the Avon Anew Ultimate Age Repair Elixir anti-aging skincare product. The system comprises the Rexam SP343 lotion pump, providing a 230mcl dosage without precompression, claimed to withstand aggressive formulae. The two-part bottle comprises an injection-blown PP bottle with Snap’On neck, which contains the product, whereas the outer bottle is moulded in clear PCTG and gold-sprayed on the interior, being silk-screened on the exterior.

MWV Calmar has unveiled a new dispenser for the fragrance industry. Clikit IP is a resin-injected version of the company's Melodie Clikit pump. As the capsule and actuator sheath are resin-injected, it is stated that brand owners can creatively customise the pump with original colours and decorative effects, such as pearl finishes, sparkle effects, metallised colours or soft touch properties. The company claims this can be supplied with short lead times, as the pump is supplied ready-assembled, reducing the number of components and suppliers required.

Seaquist Closures launched the Pinpoint direct-to-skin actuator, which is a new dispensing closure for tubes. The company states that this has been designed to combine precision with cleanliness, dispensing product from a conically-shaped silicone valve. According to Seaquist, the soft-touch valve allows consumers to gently apply product directly to a specific area – such as the eye zone – without touching the product with fingers. As soon as the consumer stops squeezing the tube, the product flow cuts off, keeping the package hygienically clean. The 19mm PP closure has a 19mm diameter and is said to be suitable for use on smaller volume tubes.

One of the first applications of Pinpoint has been by the German company Dr Scheller Cosmetics for its Manhattan Clearface SOS Pickel Stopp acne treatment. Ulrike Authaler, Product Manager, Dr. Scheller Cosmetics commented that: “Both the product and packaging have been developed to differentiate the brand from the competition. To ensure that the consumer recognises the product and package benefits before purchase, Dr Scheller Cosmetics has included an illustration and description of the new Pinpoint closure on the carton box.”

Bespoke pumping

Precise Plastics has developed a range of injection blow-moulded PET pumped spray bottles that can be used with either crimp- or snap-on pumps. As the bottles have an injection-formed neck, the company approached the US company Emsar to develop a snap-on spray and later a snap-on treatment pump, incorporating a locking actuator system. Precise Plastics states that it was necessary to achieve very tight tolerances in the neck as the greatest concern with miniature pumps is leakage and it was thus necessary to ensure a perfect pump-to-bottle fit.

The company reports that the performance of the concept has been confirmed by use of these packs in the airline amenity kit industry, where every pack loaded on an aeroplane is effectively leak-tested by the change in cabin pressure. Precise Plastics states that the additional advantage of using injection blow moulding is the ability to develop new blow-moulds based on existing performs, allowing the company to develop miniature sizes that replicate the larger parent package with a reduced tooling cost. An example is the Tynant miniature facial spray, based on the shape of the Tynant water bottle.

Web Scarlett deVlam has designed a new trigger bottle for Proctor & Gamble’s range of household cleaning products – namely the Flash, Mr Proper and Viakal brands. The company designed an integrated trigger shroud that it believes increases on-shelf presentation and delivers enhanced ergonomic performance.

Satisfying criteria

I will leave the final comments to Tim Corvin of Webb Scarlett deVlam: “Undoubtedly the human interface aspects of structural packaging design will become increasingly important and successful branding must respond to changes in demographics that will take effect over the next 15 years. As the Baby Boom generation shift the centre of gravity of all consumer markets, it's not just the physical interface that will play a crucial role in helping those with reduced manual dexterity. It almost goes without saying that there are huge commercial benefits for packaging that is designed for the reality of consumers’ lives and, as a consequence, securing their brand loyalty, not just relying on sales promotion activity.”


These bottles feature the SimpliSqueeze silicone beverage valve from Seaquist Closures, claimed to eliminate accidental spills and drips, yet sealing when pressure is released Eliminating drips Meter-dosed airless pump systems from RPC have been used for the Oxy range of acne-combating products Trendy acne treatment Studio Davis’ new design for Ariel laundry products features an integrated ‘snap-on/snap-off’ integrated doser and is designed to spring back into shape following use Laundry dosing made easy This pump and bottle combination incorporates the Rexam SP343 lotion pump A perfect combination Injection-moulding enables miniature bottle sizes to be produced at reduced tooling cost, according to Precise Plastics Baby brother bottles The Clik It fragrance dispenser is resin-injected Stylish, yet resin-injected

A perfect combination A perfect combination
Trendy acne treatment Trendy acne treatment
Eliminating drips Eliminating drips
Baby brother bottles Baby brother bottles
Laundry dosing made easy Laundry dosing made easy
Stylish, yet resin-injected Stylish, yet resin-injected


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