FEATURE Flexible Packaging
Improving packaging forming to lengthen product shelf life
Constantia Flexibles, a global corporation that develops, manufactures and supplies flexible packaging solutions for
the pharmaceutical, healthcare, home and personal care, food and beverage markets, has introduced the new Live Stress Check for its CONSTANTIA Coldform (right), one of the most popular pharmaceutical packaging solutions on the market. CONSTANTIA Live Stress Check is a tool to determine the strain level applied to coldform foil, and the quality of the forming process when running on blister lines. Results are used to optimise manufacturing processes by uncovering improvements that can be made concerning forming plug designs, plug materials, and process setup. To perform the stress check, a pattern of
high-resolution dots is printed on the Coldform laminate which, when stretched, changes. The Live Stress Check sample, with cavities that were formed under production conditions, is inspected with a camera system and special software to determine these distortions. After, an automatically generated 3D image illustrates the degree of strain at various areas of the blister – valuable information that allows for
significant improvements to both the overall process and the cavity steps in particular. A related service offered by Constantia Flexibles is a simulation of the so-called cross-permeation in Coldform blister packs. This concerns the moisture that permeates into a blister cavity in very small quantities along the inner layers of the blister’s punched edge (moisture
permeation is only possible along the punched edge, because the base foil’s aluminium creates a 100 per cent barrier against water and oxygen). Such cross-permeation can be controlled using laminates whose plastic layers provide a higher barrier to water vapour on the Coldform laminate’s inside layer. For example, polyvinyl chloride films can be substituted by polypropylene films for added protection. Cross-permeation can also be influenced by the blister’s design; often, correcting this sort of systemic flaw involves adjusting the sealing area or eliminating blister perforations altogether.
Constantia Flexibles’ simulation assesses
the effect of using various plastics and/or making design changes to address cross-
permeation. The
effective early-stage test can significantly improve product shelf life while avoiding expensive mid- process reiterations. This results in an increased speed to market, reduced materials waste, and an uptick in overall productivity. CONSTANTIA Coldform is a key point of focus for the company, as it offers superior barrier properties that help ensure drugs reach patients in the best possible condition, unsullied by moisture, light or oxygen. Unlike other blister packs, CONSTANTIA Coldform is not thermoformed, but brought into shape mechanically, creating a 100 per cent barrier against the environment while increasing stability and product lifecycles.
www.cflex.com
New multi-purpose packaging system
Easypack, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of environmentally friendly packaging solutions, has launched its first flexible, multi-purpose packaging
system. Designed and manufactured in the UK, the new ‘freestyle’ system is a small and highly versatile system that can be conveniently placed at any point of packing, including wall- mounted, affixed to a fully manoeuvrable floor stand or bracketed to any bench or workstation.
Automatically dispensing 100 per cent recycled, recyclable and biodegradable durable sheets of paper, the system allows operators to pack a multitude of goods at high speed. Dispensing up to 55m of paper per minute, operators can wrap, roll, mould, void-fill, cushion and secure goods of all shapes and sizes.
The system has a built-in anti-jam system along with a safe tear-off shield for fast in-the-box packing. Coming in a very compact size, the system can be placed horizontally or vertically at point of use and the easy loading system allows operators to replenish rolls quickly and safely. Operations director, Jason Cox, said ‘freestyle’ has been designed with packers in mind, offering ease of use, convenience and maximum packing flexibility. “Whilst all of our systems offer fast,
32 February 2016
robust void-fill, this new system is ideal for operations that pack a variety of goods in different locations. Strong sheet paper gives operators a choice of packing methods whilst at the same time being small enough to move between workstations.”
Easypack has led the way with its range of patented packaging solutions since 1992 and the company is committed to protecting the environment. Today it works with some of Europe’s largest brands as well as SMEs and start-ups, enabling organisations to pack their goods with 100 per cent environmentally friendly packaging. T: +44 (0)1438 740649 /
www.easypack.net
www.convertermag.co.uk
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