Blister cards
Cold seal Blisterpackaging for Briggs and Stratton Europe
February 2013 – Briggs and Stratton Europe has recently started using Ecobliss‘ cold seal blister packaging for packaging their spareparts program for lawn mower engines. With cold sealing blister packaging, only pressure is required to make a perfect card-to-card bond. This makes the packaging process simple, quick and very cost-effective. A range of packaging equipment, from the very simple to highly automated, is available to support this packaging process. Cold seal blister packaging is therefore scalable to any packaging job, small or large.
Ecobliss cold seal blister packaging consists of a pressure sensitive fold-over, or separate front and back blister card, and a transparent blister. The blister is trapped between two pieces of board that are bonded under pressure without using any heat. Together, blister and card form a beautiful, highly visible shelf presentation for your product. Another bonus of this technology is that the people doing the packaging will not be exposed to any hazardous or uncomfortable radiation, heat, smell or noise.
Increased flexibility, improved logistics, great appearance and sustainability where the main reasons for Briggs and Stratton to choose for cold seal blister packaging.
Battery packaging plays it safe
Energizer is staying ahead of the curve by putting its coin-sized batteries in child-resistant packaging.
Jenni Spinner, Senior Editor — Packaging Digest
The safety of the littlest consumer is a top concern among packaging engineers and designers. That’s the big push behind Energizer’s new child-resistant packaging for its coin-sized batteries.
Composed of durable flexible materials that make it more challenging for Junior to get his tiny hands on the easily swallowed batteries, the new packs also bear warning copy and icons advising of the dangers associated with coin cell batteries, and how and where to get medical help if the batteries are swallowed. Once an adult has opened the package, he is greeted by a warning sticker on the back of the battery (tabbed for easy removal) to further bring home the safety message.
According to Rebecca Oesterle, leader of global packaging development with Energizer, the revamped packaging follows the company’s mission of serving consumer needs.
“This particular package is one that comes from the incidences of children ingesting batteries increasing over recent years, because the number of devices that take such batteries has increased,” she says. “The rate of ingestion is still relatively low, but improving it is something that we’re able to control. This change wasn’t regulated; there’s no government mandate that said the packaging had to change. We saw it as a growing area of concern, something that we could control, and we took the initiative.”
In addition to changing its packaging to improve the safety of children, Energizer is working to effect change throughout the industry by conducting deeper research, promoting awareness of the problem and advocating for change. It supports the National Capital Poison Center to prevent and treat battery ingestion. Further, Energizer is working with Safe Kids USA, a child safety advocacy and education group, to launch The Battery Controlled, a campaign to spread awareness among consumers, caregivers and the medical community.
“Before this even officially became a project, we had been looking at the concept,” she says. “I facilitated the ideation session, and we ultimately came up with what ended being the winning design.” She relates that the team gathered to brainstorm new child-resistant packaging ideas and came up with a total of 20 different possible designs. The group eventually narrowed the field down to four favorites, then proceeded to delve in deeper to determine which of the candidates would best serve the needs of the company and its customers.
Chris Campbell, brand manager at Energizer, has a range of experience with conducting shopper research. He says that regarding this particular type of packaging, the consumer’s needs and goals are fairly straight-forward.
“For coin and watch batteries, we know how the shopper shops, and what she’s looking for,” he says. “She doesn’t need big, bulky packaging, and she doesn’t want a lot of big messaging; she just wants a quality, dependable product. She just needs to see the battery and know what number it is.”
According to Campbell, Energizer packaging relies on clearly indicated product numbers and color coding, so that shoppers can determine easily which product is the one they need at a glance. He also added that the company aims to, across the board, slim down its packages where possible.
“Especially with our multipacks, we’re trying to get our product line in a smaller package, so that there’s less of a footprint,” Campbell says.
Whenever Energizer considers a change in any of its battery packaging configurations, says staff engineer Steve Reed, it involves a team effort and a great deal of communication.
“We work with our marketing folks to ensure that we really use our existing equipment, and that we design packages that help us minimize the amount of time to change over,” he says.
The new child-resistant packaging consists of laminated stock married to a PET blister. It consists of polyester, white polypropylene and another polyester layer. Both the blister film and laminated stock are provided by Bemis Curwood, and the packages are produced in Energizer’s Benington, VT, facility. According to Reed, the packaging staff at Energizer worked closely with the materials provider to ensure the product would fit the company’s needs and work well on the facility’s existing packaging equipment.
One of the initiatives Energizer recently tackled was transitioning its battery products to zero-mercury content in July 2011, and altering its packaging to convey the change. Campbell says the product had little effect on the construction of the packaging; rather, the weight of carrying the message fell on the artwork and package text.
“We determined the best way to communicate the zero-mercury product was on shelf,” he says.
The move to zero-mercury batteries was only being mandated in three states. However, Energizer decided to be proactive and phase the mercury out of all its products everywhere.
Energizer is constantly working on improving and innovating battery packaging. Among its inventions are the EZ Turn & Lock packaging for hearing aids. The design includes long tabs attached to each battery to facilitate handling and insertion, Also, the company has placed its smaller batteries into “pill pack” foil packs, which perforates the batteries into little pods, enabling consumers to take along one or two batteries at a time, rather than an entire package.
In addition to working to ensure packaging serves consumer needs, Energizer’s staff endeavors to ensure its retail clients are satisfied, too.
“One of the projects we tackled was with Sam’s Club, where we went through a conversion with re-seller packaging,” Campbell says. “We were challenged by the people at Sam’s Club to improve both the re-seller packaging and everyday member packaging. We did a lot of research and conducted focus groups. It’s now been on the market for two years in the reseller packaging. It doesn’t alienate the regular Club member, who doesn’t want more packaging, but it also serves the needs of small businesses and re-sellers. That was a fun project because of the research. We were taking some of the things we’d already been working on in-house and creating a couple of different options for them.”
As is the case with many improvements, the child-resistant packaging improvement involves a tradeoff. However, while Oesterle points out that the tougher material, which requires scissors to open and get to the batteries inside, might cause mild frustration on the part of some consumers, she says the company maintains “that’s a downside that we’re willing to accept.”
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.
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