A combination cap closure and delivery system that will revolutionise the packaging of active and sensitive products in the food and beverages, personal care, pharmaceuticals, and household and industrial chemicals sectors, is en route to market in the US and UK, the inventor of The Drop-Top has revealed exclusively to Packaging Today.
The patented device is being launched commercially by one of the largest pharmaceutical companies and a major alcohol group, said Aron Clarkson, CEO of design and development company StarOne Group based in Australia, which has worked on the technology for 10 years. A first application of The Drop-Top is planned for August 2010 said Mr Clarkson.
The Drop-Top for containers made from PET plastic and glass, releases doses of active ingredients when the container is first opened. The multi-chamber device separates substances from air and liquid to prevent degradation and loss of efficacy, and increase the product’s shelf life.
The Drop-Top can have up to three chambers holding liquids, powders, gases, granules or tablets. By turning the cap 360° degrees, the Drop-Top is activated cutting a seal inside the chamber to release the contents into the primary container.
The Drop-Top has tamperproof features and reduces risk of contamination and is inexpensive to manufacture according to Mr Clarkson.
He added that aspirin, vitamins, vaccines, cytotoxic medicines will be delivered in accurate doses “with zero operator error under sterile conditions”. It provides a solution for chemical substances that cannot be mixed together before use such as two-part resins and glues that react with catalysts, and also for agricultural pesticides and automotive products.
Mr Clarkson believes “new products will be born and existing ones will be reinvented” thanks to the Drop-Top, which will help meet strict health and safety legislation and manufacturers’ product claims, he added.
In a separate development StarOne has come up with a new dispensing technology for aluminium cans that is poised to shake up the energy drinks category. The Drop-Top in a can releases active ingredients when the ring-pull is removed so consumers receive maximum benefit.
Mr Clarkson told Packaging Today that StarOne is in talks with “one of the biggest names in the world”, to launch The Drop-Top in a can with a new energy drink.
StarOne can be contacted directly at info@starone-group.com
