The German metal packaging specialist has developed a polypropylene "wedge" at its Bonn r&d centre in which "sensitive" substances such as vitamins, probiotic additives or trace elements can, for the first time it says, be stored in a dry state in the can and only mixed with the beverage on opening. Ball says many of these substances cannot be preserved in an aqueous solution; vitamins, for instance degrade in water very rapidly.
When the "Fresh Can" is opened the pressure decreases, causing the wedge end to open and the component to "split" into two separate parts, releasing its ingredients. The plastic capsule floats freely in the can, with no fixing to the base, but has a reliable opening mechanism. Ball says this provides significant logistical benefits for the container filling process because the wedge and can are delivered separately to the beverage producer.
