Caps With a Twist
When it comes to caps and closures, there continues to be an emphasis on the traditional: convenience, tamper-evidence, ease of use. But some suppliers have also begun integrating the latest technology into their offerings.
For example, Closure Systems International (CSI) recently introduced ScanCap, a technology that CSI has developed to support brand owners’ mobile marketing activities. The solution leverages a unique 2D barcode (QR code) which can be printed as small as half an inch on the inside or outside of a closure and can be read instantly on web-enabled camera phones. A quick scan of the code takes the consumer directly to content related to a company’s products, promotions, loyalty programs, or other valuable links—perfect for engaging consumers on-the-go and at the point of consumption.With the use of mobile phones and QR codes continuing to skyrocket, the ScanCap positions CSI and its customers to take advantage of this hot trend.
CSI’s other new offering, PS-Lok V38mm, is a 38mm closure designed especially for hot-fill beverages such as sports drinks, functional waters, juices, and teas. The profile is suitable for both hot-fill with cooling and hot-fill with pasteurization filling processes. This light-weight 38mm, one-piece closure design includes many features that drive consumer, retailer, bottler and brand owner satisfaction. This closure’s robust seal helps prevent product spoilage and preserves brand integrity. Its unique venting feature allows excessive pressure due to fermentation to vent, reducing blow-off risk to consumers if spoilage were to occur as a result of improper storage or handling through the supply chain. CSI’s advanced band-break-before-seal-release tamper evidence system is another important consumer safety feature and provides visual evidence of product freshness.
In addition to providing enhanced product safety, consumers appreciate the consumer-friendly opening torques and comfortable drinking experience that PS-Lok V38mm provides. A “rinse hole” design option is available for the PS-Lok V38mm closure which allows product residue from the filling process to be sprayed off of the bottle finish and closure interior as they pass through the cooling or pasteurization tunnels.This provides a clean drinking surface for the consumer and less spoilage and returned product. The PS-Lok V38mm closure also can be adapted to specific needs of the bottlers and brand owners, such as providing a clear or transparent look or providing sealing capabilities over a broader range of non-standard process temperatures.
Aptar Food & Beverage this year is preparing for the launch of its Liner-less Hotfill sportclosure, the Contender. The company says it offers exceptional consumer convenience and functionality while delivering industry leading safety and tamper evidence.
In addition, Aptar says it will be increasing the global capacity of its 1881 Light Original sportclosure with new tooling in Latin America and Asia to complement its European operations.
Tetra Pak’s latest is the DreamCap, an ergonomically designed closure specifically for on-the-go consumption. The DreamCap is designed specifically to meet the growing demand from consumers who want to enjoy their liquid dairy products and juice, nectars and still drinks on-the-go.
And finally, Bericap recently announced that when Romanian mineral water brand Aqua Carpatica was looking for something different from its former 28mm PCO 1810 neck design, it found it in Bericap’s Supershorty Eco 28mm for the PCO 1881 neck and in the 38mm closure. These standout caps are unique to that market’s mineral water business and as a result serve as attention-getters in that market.