Flexible Packaging Association
Awards Announced

Three medical packages honored

The Flexible Packaging Association has awarded three medical packages with Top Packaging Awards for outstanding achievements in flexible packaging. The products were selected by judges representing environmentalists, industry, academia, end-users, the trade press, consumers, and the government.

The three award-winning products are the M312 sterilizable medical film by Cryovac, Div. of W.R. Grace and Co., the Ethicon endo-surgery supply pouch by Rexam Medical Packaging, and the MiniCap foil package by Rollprint Packaging Products Inc.

The M312 sterilizable medical film is designed for packaging intravenous drugs, nutritional products, and dialysis and irrigation solutions. The film has no plasticizers to interfere with product purity. Its resistance to low temperatures prevents breakage during storage and distribution, and allows the product to be preserved even at subfreezing temperatures. Because the film is also 50% thinner than competitive films, it saves on disposal costs. For more information, contact Cryovac, Div. of W.R. Grace and Co., at 864/433-2267.

The Ethicon endo-surgery supply Pouch is the company's first flexible package for endoscopic or premium medical devices. The switch from a rigid thermoformed tray enabled Ethicon to increase line speed, lower the cost of materials, and reduce by one-third the volume of waste and the shelf space hospitals need to stock these supplies. For information, contact Rexam Medical Packaging at 608/243-7205.

The MiniCap foil package, Baxter Healthcare Corp., contains a Minicap with povidone-iodine solution. Iodine can penetrate most sealants and cause foil to oxidize and discolor. Iodine vapors will also attack many adhesives, causing delamination. The foil package not only resists this chemical but is easy to open. The peelable heat seals require 25% less force than the premade pouch previously used. In addition, the package may increase the water vapor barrier properties by as much as 90%, yet is 40% smaller and thus saves cost and storage space. For more information, call Rollprint Packaging Products Inc. at 630/628-1700.

Parker's JBL Div. Expands Capabilities

Adds fabrication services

Parker Hannifin Seal Group's JBL Div. now offers fabrication services for precision extruded and spliced (vulcanized) solid cord, hollow tubing, and asymmetrical profiles using silicone and EPDM formulations.

"As a complement to our existing manufacturing capabilities, JBL can now offer our customers three types of products: extruded and precision-cut seals for static sealing applications, continuous-length extruded profiles, and large-diameter vulcanized rings," said Brandon Turner, JBL Div.'s marketing manager. "This custom splicing and fabrication technology allows us to produce larger-diameter seals with just one joint. In applications where low closure force or large clearance gaps are a concern, we offer spliced tubing as a sealing solution. Another major customer benefit is that no tooling is required for standard profile configurations."

The JBL Div. designs and manufactures custom precision seals for static applications, serving a variety of different markets. JBL Div.'s products are made of high-performance, sealing-grade materials to maximize seal function and product longevity. JBL also offers design assistance to ensure that its customers combine the best possible materials with the optimum design. For more information, contact JBL Div. at 864/573-7332.

Norton Performance Plastics to Build Development Lab

Scheduled to open this year

Norton Performance Plastics Corp. has announced that it plans to invest in a $5-million development laboratory. The laboratory will support process and product development in metallocenes, adhesives, high-performance films, tubing, bearings, and foam products. It will also enhance Norton's joint development capabilities with producers of high-performance resins and sister companies in the Saint-Gobain global group.

"As one of the largest fabricators of fluoropolymer and silicone products worldwide, we already have a good experience base for working with difficult-to-process polymers," said Louis F. Laucirica, NPP president. "This new facility will enable us to expand that base. Combined with our global presence and diversified manufacturing capabilities, the laboratory will make us an ideal development partner for producers of high-performance thermoplastic resins."

The 23,000-sq-ft laboratory is expected to employ 16 people initially and 24 by the year 2000. Operations are expected to begin in the third quarter of this year. For more information, contact Norton Performance Plastics Corp. at 201/696-4700.