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ASTM committees have recently focused on testing packages’ ability to withstand shipping environmental hazards, and evaluating new methods for testing sterile barrier system integrity.
After recent completion of balloting in ASTM International Committee F02 on Flexible Barrier Packaging, ASTM’s committee on standards approved in December ASTM F 2825-10, Standard Practice For Climatic Stressing of Packaging Systems For Single Parcel Delivery.
 

With its new MultiCheck 300, Mocon, Inc. (www.mocon.com) is providing an all-in-one system for measuring leak detection, seal strength, and oxygen headspace. The unit marries its Lippke 4000 series for leak detection and seal strength testing with the Mocon hand-held Pac Check 302 oxygen headspace analyzer.
Tests are conducted automatically in sequence on one package. which reduces testing time while requiring half the number of package samples, says Ian Dantuma, senior engineer.
 

As sensitive ethical and OTC ingredients are driving interest in bottle barrier technology, driving cost out of containers is an ongoing priority for customers.
Though proprietary cap and bottle systems have come to market in recent years offering novel safety and convenient opening features, standard designs are open to reevaluation.
An innovative twist on an old standard can capture consumer loyalty while holding container costs in check.
Lightweighting is another option for cost control.
 

Alpha Packaging (www.alphap.com) has continued its growth track with the purchase of Progressive Plastics (Cleveland, OH) a manufacturer of PET, HDPE, PP, and PVC containers.
Acquired in September 2010 by Irving Place Capital, Alpha has quadrupled in size over the past decade through acquisitions and organic growth to a $138 million company with seven plants.
 

Updated packaging for Chloraseptic Sore Throat Spray won a silver award in the health and beauty category at the New Jersey Packaging Executives Club’s 32nd Annual Package of the Year Awards.
Prestige Brands had approached TricorBraun (www.tricorbraun.com) in July 2008 looking to revitalize the look of the leading OTC. “The challenge was to update the design from the recognized triangular shaped bottle while retaining consumer recognition and meetings today’s retail shelf demands,” says Jennifer Nicosia, packaging consultant, TricorBraun.