Amcor Rigid Plastics has revealed some of its latest innovation at Pack Expo, including its patent-pending Vesper closure system for rigid plastic bottles which allows companies to rationalise the number of preforms they’re using because a single preform can accept both a short and tall closure.
The Vesper Closure system has been designed for 1.75-litre bottles in the spirits market.
A concealed support flange in the neck finish increases aesthetic appeal, and offers a cleaner finish, providing a look and feel consumers have not experienced before in this market sector previously, according to Amcor.
The closure can be applied with existing cappers, so no machinery change is required, and the finish has been optimised to reduce gram weight without sacrificing bodyweight.
This is the first time Amcor is introducing this type of rigid closure to the market, Jim Rooney, VP Sales for Amcor Rigid Plastics Diversified Products division told PKN.
He said the product was in the early stages of testing and the patent has been applied for, but that Amcor is already talking to customers who have expressed a high level of interest in the new system.
He added that glass to rigid plastic conversion continues to be a strong focus area for Amcor, driven by the sustainability and convenience advantages of lighter weight plastic.
Rooney pointed to the early success of Amcor’s recently launched Apex technology as an alternative to glass containers designed to enable the use of metal lug closures on PET containers, and offering a premium look with weight reduction and other advantages such as design flexibility, shipping savings and a reduced carbon footprint compared to glass.
The Apex technology, launched in November last year, is now under shelf life trials by major brand owners in the pasta sauce space.
Amcor also announced its new SecurePlus child resistant closure that’s due to launch in early 2016.
Designed for the ophthalmic market, it’s a 15-mm polypropylene, 2-piece push-and-turn system which can be combined with Amcor’s extensive line of dropper tips and bottles (5ml – 60ml).
The wider diameter closure is very rigid, making it difficult for children to bite into while at the same time it’s push-and-turn system makes it easy enough for aged and impaired consumers to remove.
