Learn more about Blister Packaging
Vincot newest certification for bioplastics : OK biobased
Vinçotte announces proudly the first OK biobased certificates of a whole range of raw materials. The first licensee holders are each located in a different continent: Asia, America and Europe. List of certified products >>
RENEWABLE RESOURCES
As active drivers for sustainable development, multiple companies are proactively searching for alternatives to fossil-based raw materials. Several manufacturers are making synthetic materials using as their base starch, cellulose, lactic acid, “bacterial fat”, etc. By so doing, these companies contribute in an innovative manner to resolving the economic and environmental problem of fossil fuels and greenhouse gases.
OK biobased – NEW AS OF SEPTEMBER 2009!
As a result of the increased environmental awareness among customers, there is a growing market for products on a basis of renewable raw materials. And that environmentally conscious motivation on the part of customers is exactly the reason why there is a need for an independent, high-quality guarantee of the renewability of raw materials. The “OK biobased” certification meets that need perfectly.
In contrast to LCA (Life Cycle Assessment), the investigation method behind the OK biobased certification is very simple and the exact value can be precisely and scientifically measured and calculated. This renders checks and re-checks very transparent and also allows “apples to be compared with apples” with the greatest ease.
On a basis of the determined percentage of renewable raw materials (% Bio-based), your product can be certified as one-star-bio-based, two-star-bio-based, three-star-bio-based or four-star-bio-based.
1 star stands for 20-40% biobased; 2 stars stand for 40-60% biobased; 3 stars stand for 60-80% biobased; 4 stars stand for more than 80% biobased
For Frequently Asked Questions about biobased certification, please visit the website of Vincot
Biotechnology could cut C02 sharply, help build green economy
Industrial biotechnology has the potential to save the planet up to 2.5 billion tons of CO2 emissions per year and support building a sustainable future, a WWF report found.
As the world is debating how to cut dangerous emissions and come together in an international agreement treaty which will help protect the planet from potentially devastating effects of climate change, innovative ideas how to reduce our CO2 are very valuable.
A recent report published by WWF Denmark identifies the potential to be between 1 billion and 2.5 billion tons CO2 per year by 2030, more than Germany’s total reported emissions in 1990.
Industrial biotechnology could help create a true 21st century green economy, the report states. Industrial biotechnology applications are already widely used in everyday life. They help reduce the amount of time needed to bake fresh bread, increase the yield in wine, cheese and vegetable oil production and save heat in laundry washing.
“Low carbon biotech solutions are a good example of hidden or invisible climate solutions that are all around us already today but are easy to overlook for policymakers, investors and companies.” says John Kornerup Bang, Head of Globalization Program at WWF Denmark and coauthor of the report.
A newer example on how biotechnology solutions could help reduce carbon emissions is the harvesting of biogas from waste digesters and wastewater streams.
The report emphasizes the potential of taking that existing technology even one step further and creating fully closed loop systems.
Biorefineries are able to transform any biobased waste material into a valuable feedstock for the production of other biobased materials. The possible emission reductions for such processes are estimated to be as high as 633 million tons of CO2.
The report indentifies four fundamental dimensions of industrial biotechnology: Improved efficiency, the substitution of fossil fuels, the substitution of oil-based materials and the creation of a closed loop system with the potential to eliminate waste.
But as with most technologies, the potential to achieve sustainability objectives does not automatically translate into such goals being realized.
“Politicians need to set the path toward a green economy. This will not be easy, and we must look for new solutions, which can help us reduce emissions very quickly. It is clear that there is no alternative to explore these innovative pathways,” John Kornerup Bang said.
Downloads: Biotech Technical Report Biotech Policy Report
Cold sealing machines
Cold sealing machines are used for sealing cold seal style trapped blisters. These blisters consist of two pieces of board with a plastic thermoformed cup trapped in between. The two pieces of board can be loose, or attached making them into a folding type trapped blister.
The cold seal style trapped blisters are based on a pressure-sensitive adhesive, which is applied on the inside of the two pieces of board. Since this is pressure sensitive adhesive no heat is required in the sealing process. The only parameter required actually is pressure. Just a certain amount of force is to be applied on two pieces of coated board to create a strong and lasting bond between them.
One of the advantages of the cold seal process over the more traditional heat seal process is that only one parameter is involved, and therefore to be controlled. For any heat sealing process there are always three critical paramaters: Time, Temperature and Pressure. The latter is the only paramater to be controlled for cold sealing, making it an extremely reliable and stable process.
Another result is that cold sealing machines do not require any heat, making them much more energy efficient. With the removal of the heat from the packaging process, also any negative effects the heat might be having on the final result such as curving of the cards, discolouration of printed matter and deformation of thermoformed parts are not a problem anymore.
Lastly, the cold sealing is instantaneous, meaning that the moment the right pressure is applied the seal is created, there is no sealing time of any significance required, like in a regular heat sealing process.
A supplier of cold sealing machines is Ecobliss Blistermachines. They offer a full range of cold sealing machines from completely manual sealing devices to fully automated – and robotized – packaging lines. The semi-automatic and fully automatic machines include pressure checking systems, ensuring that every cycle the correct amount of pressure is actually applied. This makes it very easily into a fool-proof system with no risk of packs opening up in stores!
Insert blister cards for double plastic blister ( clam-shell blister )
Insert blister cards for double plastic blister ( clam-shell blister )
Insert cards are displaying text, technical information and product promotion. Insert cards are placed inside a double plastic blister ( Clam shell ). Insert cards do not require any special blister coatings. The reason for this is that the cards are simply ‘trapped’ between a front and back blister. Depending of the amount of information on the card, a single or (multiple) folded insert card is used.
Insert cards for clamshell packaging are relatively simple to produce and most packaging printers offer them within their product range. The material of which insert cards are made is virgin or recycled cardboard or paper.
If the packaging process for making clam shell blisters is fully automatic ( form-fill-seal ) it is important that the insert cards are very flat ( straight). In an automated, high speed process insert cards should stay in place (in the blister cavity) during transport of the blisters in the form-fill-seal machine.
Ecobliss Blister products is a specialized designer and producer of all types of blister cards and can also design and produce the plastic blisters matching your products. On the website blister machines you will find a large variety of blister packaging equipment suitable for clam shell blisters.
Blister cards for blisters directly sealed to a card ( face-seal-blister )
Blister cards for blisters directly sealed to a card ( face-seal-blister )
If you want to pack your products in a blister that is sealed directly to a single blister card, you need to order heat-seal-blister-cards from your supplier.
Heat seal cards are usually printed on both sides. The front of the blister card is coated with a heat sensitive adhesive. When applying heat and pressure to the blister and card, the adhesive is activated and blister and card will bond together.
By clicking on this link you will find extensive information about all the ins and outs of heat sealing cards. There are many suppliers of heat seal cards in todays market. Many printers offer heat seal cards as a part of their product range. It is however of great importance that you choose a supplier that has a full understanding of the potential problems that may occur using heat sealing cards. For good, reliable and consistent sealing results the quality of the coating on the blister cards, the type of plastic used for the blister but also the quality of the heat sealing equipment that is being used are all relevant and should match well together.
Ecobliss Blister products is a specialized designer and producer of heat seal blister cards and can also design and produce the plastic blisters matching your products.
On blister machines you will find information, video’s and online quotations for a large variety of blister packaging equipment suitable for heat sealing blisters.
Ecobliss Cold seal blister packaging, in total compliance with the objective of sustainability
“People, planet and profit” succinctly describes the triple bottom lines and the goal of sustainability.
“People” (human capital) pertains to fair and beneficial business practices towards the community and region in which a corporation conducts its business.
A TBL (triple bottom line) company or product conceives a reciprocal social structure in which the well being of corporate, labour and other stakeholder interests are interdependent.
“Planet“ (natural capital) refers to sustainable environmental practices. A TBL company endeavours to benefit the natural order as much as possible or at the least do no harm and curtail environmental impact. A TBL endeavour reduces its ecological footprint by, among other things, carefully managing its consumption of energy and non-renewables and reducing manufacturing waste as well as rendering waste less toxic before disposing of it in a safe and legal manner.
“Profit“ is the economic value created by the organisation after deducting the cost of all inputs, including the cost of the capital tied up. It therefore differs from traditional accounting definitions of profit. In the original concept, within a sustainability framework, the “profit” aspect needs to be seen as the real economic benefit enjoyed by the host society. It is the real economic impact the organization has on its economic environment. This is often confused to be limited to the internal profit made by a company or organization (which nevertheless remains an essential starting point for the computation).
Ecobliss cold seal blister packaging, in total compliance with the objective of sustainability
People:
- Simple, clean, safe and convenient packing operation
- Pleasant and safe unpacking experience
- Easy, simple and communicative
- Most attractive product presentation
- Many creative structural designs possible, offering wonderful, attractive sales features
Planet:
- Maximum use of renewable, recyclable plastics
- Minimum plastic weight
- Maximum use of recycled cardboard
- No heat (energy) required for sealing
- 100% separation of plastic and board after opening
Profit:
- Enhanced sales by attractive presentation
- Self selling
- Beautiful, sustainable packaging builds positive Brand awareness
- Reduced cost by simple, effective packaging solutions
PEOPLE
Simple, clean, safe and convenient packing operation
Ecobliss Cold seal packaging is the one of the most easy and simple packaging methods available in the market today. Only instant pressure is required to get a perfectly sealed blister pack. The people who execute packaging labour will not in any way be exposed to hazardous or uncomfortable radiation, heat, smell or noise.
Pleasant and safe unpacking experience
Unpacking your product, should be trouble free, and preferably even generate a smile on the consumers face. A pleasant unpacking experience is the first opportunity for you to show how well you’re thinking about consumer care. Do not miss this opportunity and use Ecobliss’s easy opening methods to build on a stronger corporate image.
Easy, simple and communicative
Without any help or interference from others, your packaging should communicate, sell the product and at the same time inform your customer on how to use the product. Ecobliss cold seal packaging lends itself perfectly to fulfil your requirements.
Most attractive product presentation
High quality printed board, is used for your product and brand presentation. The transparent plastic that is required to protect and show your product is kept to an absolute minimum. Board and plastic joined in an Ecobliss packaging form a very attractive presentation. By using Ecobliss cold seal packaging you will enjoy the absence of undesirable (cheap looking) plastic reflections in your shelf space. Ecobliss will make your product(s) stand out in the shelf!!
Many creative structural designs possible, offering wonderful, attractive sales features
By using the combination of double cardboard, provided with cutting, creasing, slitting lines and the use of a plastic blister many features can be given to a particular packaging for your product. On the cold seal section of the Ecobliss.com website you’ll find many product examples that have already been made. Please challenge us with your requirements and we’ll design a packaging around your product that meets all your marketing and packaging criteria.
PLANET
Maximum use of renewable, recyclable plastics
A sustainable Ecobliss cold seal packaging always contains plastic that can easily be recycled. Usually a clear PET film is used to produce the blister, and obviously recycled PET is always recommended. Whenever possible from a technical point of view, renewable PLA will be offered as an option to our customers.
Minimum plastic weight
The plastic part of a sustainable Ecobliss cold seal packaging will always be kept to a minimum size and thickness, with the purpose of reducing plastic weight as much as possible.
Maximum use of recycled cardboard
A sustainable Ecobliss cold seal package always consists of recyclable. One of the USP’s of Ecobliss cold seal packaging is that the cardboard is only printed on one side, and that after packing, the printing is visible on the front and back, and even behind the plastic blister. (see www.ecobliss.com/ learn about …)
No heat (energy) required for sealing
Ecobliss cold seal blister packaging is the only blister packaging system that needs no heat or dwelling time to get a perfect seal. Only pressure is required. This makes packaging in Ecobliss extremely energy, and thus environmentally friendly.
100% separation of plastic and board after opening
There are many different ways of opening Ecobliss packaging, depending on the structural design. Whatever opening method is chosen, plastic and board are always 100% being separated after opening. The cold seal adhesive, applied to the blister board only adheres to itself and not to the plastic blister. Therefore no cardboard fibres will remain on the clear plastic, making recycling possible.
PROFIT
Enhanced sales by attractive presentation
Ecobliss cold seal packaging is a proven solution in capturing that “first moment of truth”. It only takes seconds for a consumer to notice a product on the store shelf. That moment presents an incredible marketing and selling opportunity. Nearly 70 percent of all purchase decisions are made at the shelf. Nearly half of all packaged goods are sold without any additional marketing support.
Self selling
A well designed blister packaging will sell your products without the additional assistance of sales people. While the transparent blister protects and shows your product clearly visible, the cardboard enhances the total presentation.
Beautiful, sustainable packaging builds positive brand awareness
Not only your product,… not only the structural packaging design,… not the artwork on the card, and certainly not only your sustainability philosophy but the total mix of your presentation is what impresses customers. Attractiveness in the shelf, a good unpack experience, good disposability of the packaging materials at home and of course a good product in hand is the total mix that build brand awareness. Except for your product, we have all the ingredients to make your brand stronger!
Reduced cost by simple, effective packaging solutions
From simple, manual, no energy consuming devices to high speed, low energy consuming Ecobliss cold seal packaging machines, different options are available to support an efficient packaging process. It’s possible to outsource your packaging work to one of our global operations but obviously you can also do the packaging in your own premises. In that case Ecobliss offers a variety of packaging equipment for sale or rent. It is also possible to choose a third party contract packer to pack your products. In those cases Ecobliss will support a smooth packaging operation.
Child resistant packaging, Definitely not child’s play!
Child resistant packaging, Definitely not child’s play!
Children are naturally attracted to brightly coloured medication and it only takes a second to pop a pill, but this innocent act could lead to tragedy. Child resistant packaging is one optimum solution to this situation. Usha Sharma traces a new trend in the industry.
Pharma industry needs reliable and speedy packaging solutions that can deliver a combination of product protection, quality, tamper evidence, patient comfort and security requirements. Meeting all these challenges child-resistant (CR) packaging, is designed or constructed to be significantly difficult for children under five years of age to open within a reasonable time but not difficult for normal adults. Such packaging is called child-resistant, rather than childproof, because some children will be able to open it. US and Korean regulatory bodies have already enforced CR packaging guidelines for all pharma products, while efforts are on in the European Union (EU) to develop unified standards across the EU countries .
Avinash Mandale, Global Chief Marketing Officer Bilcare
Avinash Mandale, Global Chief, Marketing Officer Bilcare explains CR packaging’s vital need saying, “CR packaging is essential from the children’s safety angle. Every pharma product needs to be CR packed because it can prevent a child from accidental consumption or misuse of the medicine. For example; if the patient is suffering from diabetes there are chances that his son/daughter may accidentally consume diabetes pills and their sugar level may go down which can lead to a fatal situation.”
In India few leading pharma companies like; Ranbaxy, Cipla, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Lupin, USV Wockhardt, Ipca Laboratories, Aurobindo, Strides Arcolab, Indoco Remedies etc, are already using CR packaging but it is mainly meant for generic export markets.
Giving the rationale for the increasing need for CR packaging, Ranjit Shahani, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Novartis India, reasons that, “CR caps are mandatory for most products in US. Generic players in India, into export to US have to use CR caps with high density polyethylene (HDPE) containers and as US generic drugs markets have shown very good growth compared to other branded drugs, the potential is very vast.”
Debdeep Bhattacharya, Director Ess Dee Aluminium
CP packaging is often available in the form of Ecobliss wallet packs with dose guard labels, CR caps and closures, few customised and tailor-made packs and so on. Normally, the standard CR pill boxes remind the patient to take the medicine at right time. However, the usage of such pill boxes is limited as the medication is transferred from the primary pack to such pill boxes as per the requirement. While designing a CR pack to suit requirements, the challenge lies in commercial production of high volumes at high speeds. Presently, the most common CR packaging available is known as ‘push through’, which needs higher effort to take out the medicine and thus a child would most probably give up after a few attempts. Conventionally, foil available in the market is peelable foil. In a ‘peel and push packaging’ the tablets need to be pushed. However, these two foils are not senior friendly either.The lidding material has a peelable coating and is sealed to the blister using heat and pressure. The packaging and its contents can then be sterilised. Lidding material can be die- cut in any shape required. These materials are compatible with common sterilisation methods such as ethylene oxide (ETO), gamma ray sterilisation, beta ray sterilisation and steam sterilisation. Stressing on the uses of CR foils, Debdeep Bhattacharya, Director, Ess Dee Aluminium says, “CR lidding means safety, security and convenience in preventing children from gaining access to medication. As regulations come into effect, it is important to increase the barriers for children, while simultaneously allowing easy access for seniors.”
Regulation
In the USA, CR packaging is result of the Poison Prevention Act (PPA) passed by the US Congress in 1970. The purpose of the law is to decrease the opportunity of children to gain access to substances, resulting in accidental poisoning. In addition, the PPA extends to all states or localities in the USA and is the one standard applied for all applicable products. The European standard only covers packages containing paracetamol, aspirin and medicines which containing 24 mg of iron.
Commenting on CR packaging regulation Bhattacharya says, “US and European testing methodologies are not very different but there are substantial differences in the additional requirements and criteria. US drugs need to be labelled CR, including determination that if ingested by a child, the drug toxicity level would not cause harm or injury. This is not a consideration in determining the type of package used in Europe.”
He further highlights that, “In the US, protocol testing methods were developed primarily to address cap-and-vial closures as this was the preferred packaging format in the 1970s with unit dose formats being virtually non-existent. Today, there is a significant bias towards unit dose formats such a blister and strip packaging. During the protocol development era, it has been estimated that blister use and unit of use packaging formats represented less than 20 per cent of US drug packaging.”
Chakravarthi AVPS, Managing director Ecobliss India Pvt Ltd
Highlighting global CR packaging trends, AVPS Chakravarthi, Managing Director, Ecobliss India says, “Currently legislation exists for commercial products in Europe for UK, Germany and Italy and the Netherlands. The US is the biggest market with extensive legislation and potential litigation. On the clinical trial front all US trials have to use trial samples with CR packaging, but there is no requirement elsewhere in the world.”Commenting on mandatory guideline of CR packaging in India, Mandale says that, “The US and Korea regulatory body has already made it a compulsion and very soon other regions will follow. In India, I assume that it will take some more time to come in force. It would be better if pharma industry does follow the guideline; but I am assuming that it will take some more time to come as an Act and become a regulatory compulsion on each pharma company. Whereas, in the European market regulatory body’s discussions are on going.”
Bharat Mehta, Managing Director Super Label Manufacturing
”If Government is looking from safety point of view of child by preventing accidental use of tablets, then it must be mandatory. It should make it mandatory in India as well, for all formulations harmful for children,” says Bharat Mehta, Managing Director, Super Label Manufacturing.
Preferred solution
CR market is growing with more and more companies developing packaging solutions. As arthritic patients find bottles difficult to open, blister packs with thicker foil or paper/foil laminates are also very difficult for such adult patients to access. Also, these are cumbersome, size limiting and expensive. Ecobliss Pharmaceutical wallets 
supported by dose guard and dose guard labels applied directly onto the blisters provide the best cost effective compliance solution and it is for blisters which have the advantage of excellent CR and senior friendly access. The regular Alu-Alu or blister packs are the ones mostly in general use. Chakravarthi enlarges the usage of CR and its cost effective ways saying, “The CR packaging needs to be cost effective and should not add too much to the packaging cost while complying with requirement. And it should be feasible at high volumes and high productions speeds as well.”
Eric Souberiran, Business Managing Director Rexam Pharma Packaging
“Alu-Alu packaging would be confined to a smaller quantity of products and service a niche segment. The need of the hour is to facilitate bulk packaging to reduce costs in the generic market which is being achieved through the use of HDPE containers fitted with CRC caps, observes Eric Souberiran, Business Managing Director, Rexam Pharma Packaging India.
On the cost front, Mehta says, “To change from current mode of packaging to CR packaging, one needs to understand the advantage as against cost. Indian pharma industry is still quite driven by cost. Normally, the price difference between a product using CR packaging a product normal packaging is a reasonably big difference but depending on size and volume of the products.”
”It is a new trend seen in the industry and is emerging differentially. The key reason is to differentiate from other packaging, which is happening in the Indian pharma industry. Indian pharma players are realising that packaging differentiation will make them stand out in the competitive market. And CR packaging will be good for differentiating. I see big pharma giants protecting their brand concealing with CR packaging and these can help the pharma companies to differentiate themselves from their competitor,” analyses Mandale. “The price difference in CR packaging is minor compared to the safety gains.” adds Souberiran. Shahani opines that export oriented Indian pharma companies have implemented CR packaging, but the concept remains underdeveloped in the local markets.
Reaching globally
Many Indian pharma companies are currently exporting their generic drugs to the US or those planning will have to essentially look at bulk packaging, while, keeping in mind the US FDA regulations. “In the near future, Indian pharma companies are going to be strong contenders in the US generic market, which would necessitate use of CR caps. This coupled with the fact that the pharma consumer in India will also evolve over a period of time makes it necessary for them to pursue this packaging trend. HDPE containers with CRC caps are a perfect fit to meet the demands of this market. So the trend is very positive and we see more and more companies adopting this packing in future,” avers Souberiran.
Suggesting a user friendly point of view, Mandale comments that, “The existing leading foil should evolve into a new form of design solution, which can be provided as a CR pack. The future trend is that CR packaging should be senior friendly, eco friendly and cost effective as well.”
Chakravarthi sum up the potential when he predicts that, “We see this market (CR) expanding from the US across the world as soon as a cost effective solution is provided.”
Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare (UK) Ltd, uses Ecobliss cold seal wallets for their clinical trials
Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare (UK) Ltd – Ecobliss Website Case Study
Reckitt Benckiser, the largest pharmaceutical and healthcare company in the Netherlands, has adopted the Ecobliss cold-seal packaging system for a clinical trial of one of their market leading medicinal brands.
The healthcare facility, based in Hull, UK, has invested in a desktop Ecobliss Jiggle Roller (EJR) 350/500 machine to manually seal their blister packs into cold-seal wallet cards – which are also supplied by Ecobliss Pharma.
It is the first time Reckitt Benckiser have utilised Ecobliss cold-seal technology, which allows for improved efficiency, speed and flexibility in their product packing process.
Furthermore, the simplicity and the compact design of the finished wallet pack (pictured) offers the patient ease-of-use and portability – two vital factors in ensuring the stated dosage is taken and completed correctly.
This clinical study is to be sent to the USA, which means as a legal requirement, the packaging will need to be in certified child resistant packaging. To aid compliance, Ecobliss Pharma – supported by GP Solutions (UK) Ltd – will provide the wallet card with a Dose GuardTM Peel & Push child resistant senior friendly (CRSF) secondary barrier pre-applied on the back. Dose GuardTM is approved to an F4 CR rating; however, developments are currently in place in order for it to achieve F1 status.
To complete delivery of all the packaging components required for this study, GP Solutions will also supply Reckitt Benckiser with tamper evident labels and outer cartons.
July 20th 2009, Clamshell, a double blister with card inside
The best theft protection for retailers, but in many cases a nightmare for consumers to open.
Clamshell blisters, are extremely popular with retailers due to the fact that there is almost no packaging that gives better protection against in-store theft. To increase the theft protection of clamshell blisters even further, very often security labels such as HF or ultrasonic alarm tag labels are positioned inside the plastic packaging. Unless customers are equipped with scissors or a knife, this kind of packaging is extremely difficult to open in the store thus giving the best protection against pilferage.
The downside of extremely good theft protection is that, once at home, clamshell blisters are very hard to open, even when using a knife or scissors. Unfortunately many cases are known where customers get injured while opening clamshell blisters.
Clamshell blisters are widely used to pack up-value consumer goods, sold in a DIY, or self selling (warehouse) environments. Products such as electronics, computer hardware, sanitary accessories, automotive parts etc. are often packed in a clamshell blister.
Materials
Clamshell blisters usually consist of a thermoformed front blister and a back blister (or flat plastic sheet) with a piece of cardboard or paper trapped between the blisters.
Depending on the size of the blister and the desired strength, the thickness of the plastic can be adapted to the specific requirement. The plastic is usually a PVC, PET-A, PET-G or PET GAG. The insert piece that carries the communication and product information is made of printed paper or cardboard.
Sealing
Clamshell blisters can either be sealed, using high frequency sealing, ultrasonic sealing or simple heat sealing. The choice of sealing depends on the type of plastic that is being used.
In case PVC, PET-G or PET-GAG (Glycol modified polyethylene terephthalate) is used, it is possible to use induction or radiant heat sealing. The best heat-sealing results can be achieved in case the patent pending hot-cold technology is used. The advantage of this hot-cold technology is that the sealed blister flanges will not become brittle and that they will become flat and strong after sealing. Conventional heat sealing is possible, but expect blister flanges to become a bit brittle and curled.
In case A-PET is used, high frequency sealing or ultrasonic sealing are the best sealing techniques.
Reclosable Clamshell blisters
It is also possible to choose a fold-over type of clamshell blister that can be closed, simply by clicking the front and back blister together. This type of clam shell blister is very popular as no machines are needed to close the pack. Also opening and re-closing for demonstrating a product is simple to do.
Recycling
A clamshell blister is very suitable for recycling. The two materials, card and blister are not bonded together. The paper part and plastic part of the package do not contaminate eachother and can be disposed separately in the according waste streams. Some consumers may dislike this kind of packaging, because of the large plastic part, but an alternative packaging with the same properties is often hard to find. The plastic part should have a material identification marking, 
indicating which type of plastic is used. This is done to enable consumers to choose the correct waste stream. In Germany and some other countries packaging taxes are very high when using plastic.
Gruener Punkt
Heat seal face blister – Blister directly bonded to card
Heat seal face blister pack ( blister-to-card )
Within the various options available in the range of blister packaging, heat seal blister packs are by far the most commonly used type worldwide. The reason for this is obvious. Heat seal blisters consist of only two pieces of material, a single piece of board and a blister. Heat seal blister packs are therefore very economically to produce. The board of which the blister card is produced is coated with a layer of heat seal coating. Generally there are two main types of coatings in use to produce heat seal cards. These are water-based heat seal coatings and solvent based heat seal coatings. With today’s advanced technologies most coatings are suitable to seal both, PET blisters or PVC blisters, using the same coating.
In average the bond strength of solvent based coatings is better that the strength of water based coatings, but if all the guidelines for the use and processing are being respected, both types of coatings give good sealing results. Please pay attention to the producers warranty on heat seal blister cards. Once the production of the cards is ready, heat seal cards should not be kept in stock for a period longer than 6-12 months. In high humidity countries it is advisable to have the cards packed in such a way that moisture can not penetrate into the blister cards (plastic wrap around the cards before putting them in a outer box). Heat seal coatings are hygroscopic, meaning that they attract moisture. The disadvantage of moisture in the coating is that in the sealing process. Moisture in heat sealing cards causes undesirable air enclosures/ bad bonding spots in the area where the blister is being sealed.
The variety in heat seal cards and blisters is endless. The cards can be of any shape and size and the same goes for the blisters. Depending on the desired quality feeling, the thickness of the two materials can vary from very thick and strong to extremely light weight and thin.
Packaging process:
First the blister is placed onto a bottom tray, than the product(s) are added to the blister. The blister card is placed between the spring loaded pins located in the bottom tray. Now the sealing cycle can start. During the heat seal cycle the blister is bonded (under heat and pressure) to the heat seal coating on the blister card.
Packaging is done on heat sealing machines. These machines apply heat and pressure during a prefixed period of time. A typical heating cycle seal takes approximately 2-5 seconds at a temperature of 130°-150° Celsius. Tooling is usually build up as following: The bottom tool is usually a aluminium or wooden tray with rubber and spring pins to position the blister and card. A typical top tool is a Teflon coated (or covered) aluminium heat sealing plate.
In case the blister pack is sealed through the back a generic top plate can be used for sealing. This is by far the most used option. (radiant heating). In case sealing takes place by applying heat directly on the flange of the blister a dedicated sealing tool is used. (impuls sealing). You can learn more about heat sealing radiant and impuls sealing machines by visiting http://www.blistermachines.com/
Availability: World wide many printing companies are producing heat seal cards. Please make your choice carefully and choose for quality suppliers. Numerous problems can occur in the heat sealing process, and worse, with packed products in the market. These problems are mostly the result of getting inconsistant quality of heat seal cards, but also from not having the right type or good quality heat sealing machines.
Sanofi-Aventis prepared for cold seal wallet packaging
Sanofi-Aventis, one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies is preparing for the partial transfer of heat sealing to Ecobliss cold seal packaging.
The R&D facility of Sanofi-Aventis in Montpellier (France) has recently expanded with a brand new facility designated for clinical trial activities. The Sanofi clinical trial packaging service, an innovation oriented entity, is constantly improving its processes for a high degree of quality and flexibility, and will be equipped with five Ecobliss ERP 350/450+ machines.
This type of equipment is designed for perfectly sealing Ecobliss cold seal wallets as well as heat sealing wallets.
Cold sealing and heat sealing in one machine, yet another proof of the ingenuity of Ecobliss Equipment!
The first of the five machines has been successfully installed in September 2008, the remaining ones have been supplied in the course of 2009.
PET, a unique plastic belonging to the family of polyesters
PET is a short name for a unique plastic belonging to the family of polyesters, the word is made up from ‘poly-’ , the Greek word for many and ‘-esters’ which are compounds formed by reaction of alcohols with acids via a chemical bonding known as an ester linkage. PET polyester is formed from the alcohol – ethylene glycol [EG] – and the acid – terephthalic acid [TPA],] – and its chemical name is – Polyethylene terephthalate or PET.
The raw materials for PET are derived from crude oil. After refining and separating the ‘crude’ into a variety of petroleum products, the two PET feedstocks or monomers are eventually obtained, purified, and mixed together in a large sealed, ‘cooking pot’ type of vessel and heated up to 300°C in the presence of a catalyst. Each intermediate has two identical points for reaction and is therefore capable of forming chains by linking several single molecules together and forming a polymer where the monomers are bonded by ester linkages.
Benefits of PET
Because PET is easily processed by or injection and blow moulding as well as extrusion when in the molten state, it can be tailored to almost any packaging requirement. Typical applications of PET include:
- Bottles for beverages such as soft drinks, fruit juices, mineral waters. It is especially suitable for carbonated drinks, cooking and salad oils, sauces and dressings and detergents.
- Wide mouth jars and tubs for jams, preserves, fruits & dried foods.
- Trays for pre-cooked meals that can be re-heated in either microwave or conventional ovens. Pasta dishes, meats and vegetables.
- Foils for ‘boil-in-the-bag’ pre-cooked meals, snack foods, nuts, sweets, long life confectionery.
- Other PET products with an extra oxygen barrier are ideal for containing beer, vacuum packed dairy products e.g., cheese, processed meats, ‘Bag in Box’ wines, condiments, coffee, cakes, syrups.
PlasticsEurope, one of the leading European trade associations
PlasticsEurope is one of the leading European trade associations with offices in Brussels, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Milan and Paris. We are networking with European and national plastics associations and have more than 100 member companies, producing over 90% of all polymers across the 27 EU member states plus Norway, Switzerland, Croatia and Turkey.
PlasticsEurope promotes the positive contributions of plastics by:
- Highlighting the material’s beneficial properties and its positive contributions to society throughout its life cycle;
- Providing society with educational information to help raise awareness and correct misconceptions;
- Liaising with European and national institutions in policy matters to secure decisions based on accurate information;
- Communicating plastics contribution to sustainable development, innovation and quality of life;
- Initiating indepth studies and sharing experiences.
The European plastics industry makes a significant contribution to the welfare in Europe by enabling innovation, creating quality of life to citizens and facilitating resource and energy efficiency as well as climate protection. More than 1.6 million people are employed in about 50.000 companies (mainly small and medium sized enterprises in the converting sector) to create a turnover of €300 billion per year. The plastics industry includes polymer producers (represented by PlasticsEurope), converters (represented by EuPC) and machine manufacturers (represented by EUROMAP).
For more information click on the following web links:
History of plastics
The history of plastics goes back more than 100 years. Compared to other materials however, plastics are a relatively modern.
View here a presentation of how plastics have developed over the last century.
PVC (Polyvinyl-chloride), one of the earliest plastics
PVC (Polyvinyl-chloride) is one of the earliest plastics, and is also one of the most extensively used. It is derived from salt (57%) and oil or gas (43%). PVC is made from chlorine – produced when salt water is decomposed by electrolysis – with ethylene, which is obtained from oil or gas via a ‘cracking’ process. After several steps, this leads to the production of another gas: vinyl chloride monomer (VCM). Then, in a further reaction known as polymerisation, molecules of VCM link to form a fine white powder (PVC). This powder is mixed with additives (stabilisers and/or plasticizers) to achieve the precise properties required for specific applications. The resulting PVC granules (compounds) or ready-to-use powders (pre-mixes) are then converted into the final product.
The benefits of PVC
PVC’s combination of properties enables it to deliver performance advantages that are hard to match. This material is durable and light, strong, fire resistant, with excellent insulating properties and low permeability. By varying the use of additives in the manufacturing of PVC products, features such as strength, rigidity, colour and transparency can be adjusted to meet most applications, including:
- Packaging, for toiletries, pharmaceuticals, food and confectionary, water and fruit juices, labels, presentation trays.
- Leisure products, including garden hoses, footwear, inflatable pools, tents.
- Building products, including window frames, floor and wall coverings, roofing sheets, linings for tunnels, swimming-pools and reservoirs.
- Piping, including water and sewerage pipes and fittings, and ducts for power and telecommunications.
- Medical products, including blood bags, transfusion tubes and surgical gloves.
- Coatings, including tarpaulins, rainwear, and corrugated metal sheets.
- Insulation and sheathing for low voltage power supplies, telecommunications, appliances, and automotive applications.
- Automotive applications, including cables, underbody coating andf interior trimmings.
Dose Guard Child resistance Solutions for Pharmaceutical wallets
Dose Guard Child resistance Solutions for Pharmaceutical wallet
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GP Solutions (UK) Ltd has developed a patented and proven technology, which provides child resistance and senior friendly compliance to the new European Standard – ISO EN 14375 for non-recloseable pharmaceutical packaging.
The product, Dose Guard™, is a self-adhesive barrier that utilises a unique “peel & push” mechanism to allow controlled access to each tablet. Dose Guard™ is suitable for application directly onto pharmaceutical wallets.
The combination of multi-part adhesive patterns and die-cutting technology provides child resistance and senior friendliness for most blister pack formats. This is without the need for re-tooling and expensive time consuming stability studies that would be associated with changing the blister contact materials.
Thermoforming process
Thermoforming is a manufacturing process where plastic sheet is heated to a pliable forming temperature, formed to a specific part shape in a mold, and trimmed to create a usable product. The sheet, or “film” when referring to thinner gauges and certain material types, is heated in an oven to a high-enough temperature that it can be stretched into or onto a mold and cooled to a finished shape.
In its simplest form, a small tabletop or lab size machine can be used to heat small cut sections of plastic sheet and stretch it over a mold using vacuum. This method is often used for sample and protoype parts. In complex and high-volume applications, very large production machines are utilized to heat and form the plastic sheet and trim the formed parts from the sheet in a continuous high-speed process, and can produce many thousands of finished parts per hour depending on the machine and mold size and the size of the parts being formed.
Thermoforming differs from injection molding, blow molding, rotational molding, and other forms of processing plastics. Thin-gauge thermoforming is primarily the manufacture of disposable cups, containers, lids, trays, blisters, clamshells, and other products for the food, medical, and general retail industries. Thick-gauge thermoforming includes parts as diverse as vehicle door and dash panels, refrigerator liners, utility vehicle beds, and plastic pallets.
In the most common method of high-volume, continuous thermoforming of thin-gauge products, plastic sheet is fed from a roll or from an extruder into a set of indexing chains that incorporate pins, or spikes, that pierce the sheet and transport it through an oven for heating to forming temperature. The heated sheet then indexes into a form station where a mating mold and pressure-box close on the sheet, with vacuum then applied to remove trapped air and to pull the material into or onto the mold along with pressurized air to form the plastic to the detailed shape of the mold. (Plug-assists are typically used in addition to vacuum in the case of taller, deeper-draw formed parts in order to provide the needed material distribution and thicknesses in the finished parts.) After a short form cycle, a burst of reverse air pressure is actuated from the vacuum side of the mold as the form tooling opens, commonly referred to as air-eject, to break the vacuum and assist the formed parts off of, or out of, the mold. A stripper plate may also be utilized on the mold as it opens for ejection of more detailed parts or those with negative-draft, undercut areas. The sheet containing the formed parts then indexes into a trim station on the same machine, where a die cuts the parts from the remaining sheet web, or indexes into a separate trim press where the formed parts are trimmed. The sheet web remaining after the formed parts are trimmed is typically wound onto a take-up reel or fed into an inline granulator for recycling.
Most thermoforming companies recycle their scrap and waste plastic, either by compressing in a baling machine or by feeding into a granulator (grinder) and producing ground flake, for sale to reprocessing companies or re-use in their own facility. Frequently, scrap and waste plastic from the thermoforming process is converted back into extruded sheet for forming again.
Thin and thick gauge thermoforming
There are two general thermoforming process categories. Sheet thickness less than 1.5 mm (0.060 inches) is usually delivered to the thermoforming machine from rolls or from a sheet extruder. Thin-gauge roll-fed or inline extruded thermoforming applications are dominated by rigid or semi-rigid disposable packaging. Sheet thicknesses greater than 3 mm (0.120 inches) is usually delivered to the forming machine by hand or an auto-feed method already cut to final dimensions. Heavy, or thick-gauge, cut sheet thermoforming applications are primarily used as permanent structural components. There is a small but growing medium gauge market that forms sheet 1.5 mm to 3 mm in thickness.
Heavy-gauge forming utilizes the same basic process as continuous thin-gauge sheet forming, typically draping the heated plastic sheet over a mold. Many heavy-gauge forming applications use vacuum only in the form process, although some use two halves of mating form tooling and include air pressure to help form. Aircraft windscreens and machine gun turret windows spurred the advance of heavy-gauge forming technology during WWII. Heavy gauge parts are used as cosmetic surfaces on permanent structures such as automobiles, refrigerators, spas, and shower enclosures, and electrical and electronic equipment. Unlike most thin-gauge thermoformed parts, heavy-gauge parts are often hand-worked after forming for trimming to final shape or for additional drilling, cutting, or finishing, depending on the product. Heavy-gauge products typically are of a “permanent” end use nature, while thin-gauge parts are more often designed to be disposable or recyclable and are primarily used to package or contain a food item or product.
Engineering
Thermoforming has benefited from applications of engineering technology, although the basic forming process is very similar to what was invented many years ago. Microprocessor and computer controls on more modern machinery allows for greatly increased process control and repeatability of same-job setups from one production run to the next, usually with the ability to save oven heater and process timing settings between jobs. The ability to place formed sheet into an inline trim station for more precise trim registration has been hugely improved due to the common use of electric servo motors for chain indexing versus air cylinders, gear racks, and clutches on older machines. Electric servo motors are also used on some modern and more sophisticated forming machines for actuation of the machine platens where form and trim tooling are mounted, rather than air cylinders which have traditionally been the industry standard, giving more precise control over closing and opening speeds and timing of the tooling. Quartz and radiant-panel oven heaters generally provide more precise and thorough sheet heating over older cal-rod type heaters, and better allow for zoning of ovens into areas of adjustable heat.
Blister Packaging
Blister packaging has proven to be the ideal, self selling packaging for producers and retailers and are still gaining over box packaging. Customers are attracted by a clear and clean presentation of the packed product. The blister bubble shows the actual product and protects it from damaging and tampering. Combined with product information printed on the blister card blister packaging is the perfect, self selling combination!
Blister packaging is used by DYI stores, warehouses, electronics industry, automotive industry, food industry, pharmaceutical industry etc.
Folding (or double) card with trapped blister
This type of blister packaging is a combination of a sealable fold-over blister card and a transparent blister. The blister is trapped between two pieces of board that are bonded together. After joining this type of package makes a beautiful highly visible presentation of your product.
Sealing can be done using heat- or cold sealing technology.
Heat sealing:
Folding blister cards are coated (inside) with a heat-sealable coating. The blister is trapped between two pieces of board that are bonded under heat and pressure without
Cold sealing:
Folding cards are coated (inside) with a pressure sensitive cold seal adhesive. The blister is trapped between two pieces of board that are bonded under pressure without using any heat. Only pressure is required to make a perfect board to board bond. This makes the packing process simple, quick and very cost effective. A range of very simple to highly automated packaging equipment is available to support this packing process.
Sliding blister pack
A sliding blister consists of a blister with folded flanges on three sides and a card. After placing the product into the blister a matching card made of cardboard is used to close the pack. This type of blister pack can closed and reopened very easily by sliding the card between the folded flanges of the blister (like a drawer). No machines are required for packing.