Time For Closure

key factors governing the design of a good closureFor example, UCP has developed PP28mm Medi-Loc,
include tamperevidence, child safety, anti-counterfeita child resistant tamper evidentclosure for the
features, openability, dispensing andbranding.pharmaceutical market, which has passed the
Over the years, suppliers of food, drink anddemanding protocoltesting standards for child-resistant
pharmaceutical goods have beenharmed enough bypackaging under ISO 8817:2003, which cameinfo force
carious tampering scares, so to what length doesin October 2005.
amanufacturer have to go to ensure itsproduct isAdapted from UCP's Clic-Loc child-resistant closure
totally safe How can anyone ever claim to havetechnology with the additionof the Vistop
discovered the trulypilfer-proof package when manytamper-evident thing, Medi-Loc is a more compact
acknowledge that such a commodity does not exist?closure than thatoriginally developed in the 90s for the
The chances are they can't and the future must beliquid pharmaceuticals market, achievinga 30% weight
considered challenging withmany questions still to besaving. As the Vistop tamper evident ring is separate
answered. However, the packaging industry'sassembly,closures can be supplied with the ring in a
advancesin the field of tamper evidence have beencontrasting colour.
well chronicled and progress is beingmade, as shownSHRINK SLEEVE REPLACEMENT
by some of the innovative developments describedWhile the option to use shrink sleeves fitted over a
below.metal or plasticcap isstill finding favour, some users are
Allgauland-Kasereien is filling Kumyss, a traditionalmoving away from this solution. Once suchcase in
Eastern European stylehealth drink, using Amcor Whitepoint is Thornton & Ross which has replaced
Cap's 38mm Plasti-Twist closure with liner. Thewhitestandard screw closures andshrink sleeves on
closure is reputed to be easy to open and reseal, andCovonia cough linctus and other liquid pharmaceutical
also features apatented drop-down tamper-evidentproductswith UCP's PP28 tamper-evident closure.
band. The packaging is idea for theThornton & Ross claims that using PP28TE
on-the-goconsumption.combined with a Vistop tamper-evidentclosure system
Amcor White Cap launched its 40mm Brand-Guardand also obviated the need for an additional sleeving
closure in 2005. The cap is aoperation.
Press-On, Twist-Off (PT) system composite closure. ItThe pack maintains child resistance through first and
features a metal disc,with PVC-free liner,subsequent use.
tamper-evident safety button and plastic outer shell,Branding does well in the luxury goods sector, but may
withdrop down tamper-evident band.not always be evident inall aspects of other product
The cap provides a dual tamper-evident indicator -sectors. One leading designer, however, feelsprogress
band and safety button. Thebutton pops up with anis being made in closure design: "Closures are
audible click during first opening when the vacuumplaying a bigger rolevisually and in terms of
isreleased. It provides a triple safety feature since theinteraction," says head of packaging at PDD
consumer can see, feeland hear the change. TheMiles
drop-down safety band is visibly destroyed duringHawley, signalling the wide neck, upturned Heinz
firstopening, providing clear evidence of tampering.Tomato ketchup bottle as a goodexample. The wide
Crown closures Europe also has an important recentbase, ever-ready orientation and the cleanliness
launch in the compositeclosure/dual tamper-evidenceandefficiency of the split valve sauce delivery system
market. The cap, called the Ideal, is suitable foruse inadd up to a positivephysical interaction with the Heinz
the food and beverage sector and is said to be easybrand.
to open and tore-close. There is full seal integrity for all"Long before any physical interaction, however,
food processes and the cap againfeatures aclosures and packs generally arenecessarily geared to
drop-down tamper evident band. A vacuum safetystanding out, on sight, at point of sale and point
button provides thedual tamper-evident feature. Idealofpurchase in the first 0.5 seconds. P&G's 'first
provides traditional metal barrier protectionand plasticmoment of truth' is a usefulperspective during
impact resistance and is fully recyclable.development of closure and pack design here at PPD.
Dragon Plastics has launched its first plastic volumetric"The rise of bottled water is a good example of
closure system,this sequence of experience.
VoloishoT, which comprises three snap fastenings andRe-sealable sports caps quickly became standard
one screw fastening.across most water brands.
Suitable for use with hair care products, it incorporatesSubsequently, these brands - in particular Evian - have
volumetric dispensing,mixing and tamper evidence.abandoned off-the-shelfclosures for visually innovative
Removing the tear band and then pressing down onand striking closure elements that, in someinstances,
thetop cap activates the system.emulate the perfumery sector.
The desire to achieve the combination oftamper"This is a sure measure of the rising status of
evidence and child resistance has been something thatclosures in the brand equitymix. Some sectors stand
has taxed theminds of industry for many years.out for the elaborate closures they deploy and
Innovative developments in this field are nowcoming totheclosing, spraying, safety and ergonomics
fruition, some enhancing and improving closure solutionsconsiderations of week-killer solutionsin particular offer
originallydeveloped in the 1990's.a model for the future in other sectors.