Flexible Packaging Innovation Showcase 2005

Alexia Krinkle Fries Classic
Printpack Inc.

The 8 lb. Alexia Krinkle Fries Classic with the Inno-Lok™ Pre-zippered package offers a new element to the frozen fry market. Instead of the standard, all low density polyethylene structure with surface printing, Printpack has produced, in conjunction with Valley Packaging, an application with a reverse printed oriented polypropylene for higher quality graphics and the functionality of a resealable package. This combination for the 8 lb. Alexia Krinkle Fries Classic with the Inno-Lok™ Pre-zippered package creates a sharp contrast to the competition.

Judged in Technical Innovation.

Arm & Hammer Baking Soda 12lb.
Cello-Foil Products Inc.

Church & Dwight replaced a folding carton for its Arm & Hammer Baking Soda 12 lb. product with a rotogravure printed stand-up re-sealable pouch. C&D chose rotogravure printing for maximum image reproduction, clarity and consistency. Cello-Foil developed a structure that maximized equipment efficiency while meeting the rigorous barrier and drop-test requirements required for club store distribution. Switching to the pouch has yielded better shelf appeal, product protection and logistics savings over the folding carton.

Judged in Packaging Excellence and Printing Achievement.

Ascot Grass Seed in the LIN CUBE® Stand-Up Bag
Star Packaging Corporation

This package is a square or rectangular stand-up bag, made from film extruded by Tara Plastics Corporation, converted by Star Packaging Corporation and manufactured by Linpac, Inc. The cube is an innovative product that offers numerous advantages over conventional packs. It offers strong brand identity, high graphic display and ease of use. It is easy to lift, easy to pour and easy to store, ensuring that all age groups can use it effectively. It reduces secondary packaging, storage and transportation costs. It is great for institutional applications and it affords best shelf utilization for retail. It offers a totally new opportunity for flexographic printing, usually dominated by rigid packaging, such as corrugated, metal cans or plastic pails.

Judged in Packaging Excellence, Technical Innovation and Printing Achievement.

Autopak® Sterilization Pouch
Alcan Packaging

The outer bottom-ply-SMS (spunbond-meltblown-spunbond) non-woven sheet (supplied by BBA) substrate allows permeation of sterilization gases such as steam, while acting as a barrier to bacteria oenetration. This is the same material used in the current sterilization wrap. The middle ply-polypropylene based coextrusion (supplied by Alcan Packaging) film is perforated for permeability and contains a unique autoclavable, peelable seal feature, which primarily activates after sterilization. The outer top ply-lamination of nylon (DuPont Canada) and polypropylene (lamination supplied by Alcan Packaging) is highly transparent and abuse resistant for large devices.

Judged in Technical Innovation.

Baba Premium Chewing Tobacco
Flex-America Inc.

This is a highly consumer-friendly pack, which has been developed and the laser-cut has further added to the consumer's convenience. Earlier, a lot of effort was required to open the pouch because of 3-layered laminate. With the provision of laser-cut, this has now become easier to open and particularly open it in one straight line. High quality graphics are printed because of rotogravure printing.

Judged in Technical Innovation.

Bemis Slide-Rite® Ice Bag
Bemis Polyethylene Packaging Division

In today's market place, retail consumers are looking for performance as well as convenience. Bemis Polyethylene Packaging introduces the Slide-Rite® Ice Bag. The Slide-Rite® closure system and stand-up shelf appeal brings a product that fits today's consumer needs for multi-serve packaging. Packaging that can stimulate sales and market growth while offering consumers convenience will offer a win/win package for both packers and consumers. This value-added package can create brand loyalty and stimulate repeat sales.

Judged in Packaging Excellence, Technical Innovation, Printing Achievement and Environmental Achievement.

Bemis Slide-Rite® Poultry Bag
Bemis Polyethylene Packaging Division

In today's market place, retail consumers are looking for performance as well as convenience. Bemis Polyethylene Packaging introduces the Slide-Rite® bag. The Slide-Rite® closure system and stand-up shelf appeal brings a product that fits today's consumer needs for multi-serve packaging. Packaging that can stimulate sales and market growth while offering-consumers convenience will offer a win/win package for both packers and consumers.

Judged in Packaging Excellence, Technical Innovation, Printing Achievement and Environmental Achievement.

Betty Crocker Au Gratin and Scalloped Potatoes
Printpack Inc.

This package was printed with digital photopolymer plates. It displays tight registration and a large area of fine and small type. The illustration graphics have great definition and contrast on items that could very well look flat with no shape or contrast. This package utilizes a registered white plate and a metallized film laminate, producing an attractive metallic effect around the product photography. In addition, there are a number of drop shadows that demand good registration.

Judged in Printing Achievement.

Birds Eye Cooked Winter Squash
American Packaging Corporation

This rotogravure printed package exceeded our customer's marketing objectives by providing an aesthetically appealing package that separates it from the competition and increased market share. The meticulous detail, sharpness of colors and glossy appearance accurately reflect the customer's goal for its high end branded product. It also provides an excellent example of how effective planning combined with an implementation team can achieve an outstanding package with an aggressive deadline.

Judged in Printing Achievement.

Caress Berry Indulging 2 Bar Tape
American Packaging Corporation

This rotogravure printed 2 bar tape met the customer's marketing objectives of having a more aesthetically appealing package that separates it from the competition. The crisp graphics increase the impact by creating added appeal to the consumer and projecting a high quality product image.

Judged in Printing Achievement.

Cargill Diamond Crystal Salt Pellet Double Handle Shipping Sack
Exopack, LLC

Cargill's Salt Division has a goal to provide consumer solutions, which will enhance their products and services. Exopack was asked to develop the concepts and technology to provide a convenient salt bag with handles at both ends of the bag. Building on an excellent base of proprietary technology as well as excellent suppliers and new resources, Exopack was able to deliver on time and on budget. The new product allows the consumer to handle and dispense the product with much greater convenience.

Judged in Packaging Excellence.

Chex Mix for Kids Cheddar
Printpack Inc.

This package was printed with flexo-cal separated photopolymer plates. It displays a multiple number of illustrations manufactured out of a four-color process, in addition to main illustration. There are screens and gradations in the manufactured colors. It represents tight registration and print with a registered white plate giving the metallic look where no white appears over the metallized laminate. The package is colorful, bright, eye catching and would appeal to children.

Judged in Printing Achievement.

Chocolates Britt Christmas Tree Pouch
CLP Industries Ltd.

Competing for impulse sales where tins or fancy cardboard boxes are the standard for special gifts of chocolate, the Chocolates Britt Christmas Tree Pouch uses gravure printing, spot varnish, and shaped pouch technology to capture the fancy of holiday shoppers. The clever use of a fabric hanging loop on a stand-up pouch adds display options for retailers and fun for consumers. After all, just try to hang a tin of chocolates on a Christmas tree!

Judged in Printing Achievement.

ClearShield™ Shrink Bag
Alcan Packaging

Alcan's ClearShield™ bone-in meat bag is a game-changer in the world of bone-in meat packaging. Alcan's revolutionary innovation in coextrusion technology has led to a product that offers superior machinability, saves money, extends product shelf life, is competitively priced, improves product appearance and clarity, ensures total perimeter puncture resistance and eliminates the need to orient meat cuts…all without the need of a traditional patch.

Judged in Technical Innovation.

Cryovac® 10K OTR Bag for Fresh Fish
Cryovac Food Packaging Division, Sealed Air Corporation

Designed for vacuum packaging fresh seafood products, the Cryovac® 10K OTR Bag is a high oxygen permeability bag with good abuse properties for packing and distributing fresh fish. Formulated to have an oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of 10,000 cc/m2/day to comply with FDA regulations, these high shrinking, leak-resistant bags offer superior clarity and provide a skin-tight, oxygen permeable barrier to help preserve the freshness, quality and safety of fresh fish products.

Judged in Technical Innovation.

Cryovac® FC 805 Bag for Whole Chicken Broilers
Cryovac Food Packaging Division, Sealed Air Corporation

Designed to package 3 to 5 pound fresh broilers, the Cryovac® FC 805 Bag is a high-shrink, hermetically sealed vacuum bag that virtually eliminates leaky, sticky whole chicken packages. This extremely durable bag is exceptionally resistant to abrasion and puncture. It can withstand the normal abuses of shipment and consumer handling yet maintain excellent product appearance and outstanding consumer appeal in the retail case.

Judged in Technical Innovation.

Cryovac® LID 551P, "Printed-Peelable" Case Ready Lidding Film & Package
Cryovac Food Packaging Division, Sealed Air Corporation

The Cryovac®LID 551P printed-peelable case ready package consists of a trap printed barrier lidding film sealed to a barrier tray. Meat contents are flushed with a low-oxygen gas mixture and LID 551P film is hermetically sealed to the tray, protecting the contents and maintaing the low-oxygen atmosphere during storage and distribution. The barrier layer is peeled at retail to leave a breathable film that allows air to re-enter the package, causing the meat to bloom to the desired bright red color. A high quality trap-printed decoration remains on the package after the barrier is peeled.

Judged in Technical Innovation.

Cryovac® OS Systems Technology for Flexplay Enabled DVD
Cryovac Food Packaging Division, Sealed Air Corporation

Cryovac OS Packaging System is used to package the unique Flexplay enabled DVD disc. Flexplay DVDs have a preset viewing period that begins when the disc is removed from the oxygen-scavenging film package. Flexplay DVD's offer hassle-free, flexibly and convenient home entertainment options. Because the 48-hour viewing window is started when the OS Package is opened, consumers can watch Flexplay DVDs anytime, anywhere. With Flexplay DVDs there are no returns, late fees, or scratched discs.

Judged in Technical Innovation.

Cryovac® Xenith™ Shrink Film
Shrink Packaging Division, Sealed Air Corporation

Xenith™ film is a revolutionary Cryovac® shrink packaging film with a broad range of applications and far reaching attributes. Xenith™ shrink film delivers a unique combination of strength, stiffness, soft shrink (low shrink tension), excellent memory and low temperature shrink, combining superior toughness and versatility that provides superior package appearance.

Judged in Technical Innovation.

Curwood's Large ABP® (Absolute Bone-In Protection) High Shrink Bone-In Bag
Curwood, Inc.

Curwood's ABP® (Absolute Bone-In Protection) shrink bags have been accepted in the packaging market as having exceptional puncture and abuse resistance as well as high shrink and high clarity. Curwood has further advanced the technology to offer the same protection for larger bone-in cuts of beef, pork, lamb and veal. These products are supported in bag widths of 8" to 24" and lengths up to 42".

Judged in Packaging Excellence and Technical Innovation.

Decorative Packaging for the Floral Industry
Highland Supply Corporation

This package is produced using safe and environmentally preferred water based printing inks. In 1988, the executive management of HSC accelerated efforts to develop a viable water based ink system and issued a corporate policy which directed the reduction of VOC emissions and HAPs which are harmful to human health and the environment. After thorough research, HSC elected to develop an in-house water based ink system which today, contains less than 0.70% VOCs by weight.

Judged in Environmental Achievement.

DesignWorx Shift Tan Maximizer Spouted Pouch
Exopack, LLC

This package brings a new flexible format to an industry more associated with less consumer friendly rigid packaging. The matte finish polypropylene outer skin and high impact graphics incorporated in the package design further enhances the protection of its contents and enhances costumer identity. Traditionally, health and beauty items are packaged in bulky rigid containers. This package design provides for unique brand identity important to maintaining current customers as well as gaining new ones. This innovative package design provides for unique and innovative customer impact setting it apart from traditional packages. High impact graphics on a reclosable spouted stand-up pouch for tan maximizing lotions is a first in their industry.

Judged in Packaging Excellence and Printing Achievement.

Dial Rewards Spring Water
American Packaging Corporation

This rotogravure printed package achieved the customer's marketing objectives by combining of sensational graphics and ink jet printing technology to print the game numbers. This process allows the customer to use a unique game promotion cost effectively compared to traditional couponing.

Judged in Printing Achievement.

Dithane M-45
Flex-America Inc.

This product has been printed by high class rotogravure printing in 8 colours using the PU systems of inks (Polyurethane) on 12 mic polyester. This is really high class printing which gives a different look to the product, high quality graphics, aesthetics and is a great brand promotion tool.

Judged in Printing Achievement.

Don Café Easy-Peel Pouch
CLP Industries Ltd.

The Don Café Easy-Peel Pouch introduces the convenience of easy-peel technology to the coffee market. Although it's a highly effective barrier against light, oxygen and water vapor- as well as mechanical damage - the Don Café Easy-Peel Pouch is not a barrier to the consumer. A comfortable grip on the pouch's wide holding surfaces and a gentle pull unleashes great coffee and offers Don Café an exciting point of differentiation from its competition.

Judged in Packaging Excellence.

Ecolab Liner
PBM Plastics, Inc.

Formed flexible liner is designed to fit precisely inside rigid tub. The lip of the flexible liner is ultrasonically welded to the lip of a rigid HDPE tub (rated for 169 oz liquid volume). The tub/liner is filled with molten liquid which solidifies, and this solid product block is dispensed to the product dispenser by inverting the tub and allowing the solid block to release into the dispenser silo. This package design is patent pending.

Judged in Technical Innovation and Environmental Achievement.

Eden Foods Gourmet Popcorn Pouch
Exopack, LLC

This package brings a new flexible format to an industry more associated with less consumer friendly rigid and paperboard packaging. The metalized polyester inner layer accentuates the high impact graphics incorporated in the package design and further enhances the protection of its contents. In addition, the package design enhances the customer's identity as a "high end" provider of a gourmet product thus setting it apart from the competition and presents a "buy me first" image. A reclosable stand-up pouch further enhances the consumer convenience.

Judged in Printing Achievement.

evian® AFFINITY Skin Care Products
North State Flexibles LLC

Johnson & Johnson has selected contemporary looking stand-up pouches for the redesign of its packages to better appeal to the upscale Evian Affinity consumer. The cleverly designed pouches utilize special pearlescent inks to showcase the various products as well as address functional issues related to effective reading of the legal and marketing copy. The result is an elegant package that ably reinforces the image of the Evian Affinity line of skin care products.

Judged in Packaging Excellence and Printing Achievement.

Farmer John Quick Serve Fully Cooked Bacon Contoured Semi Rigid Package with Curwood's EZ Peel® Opening Feature
Curwood, Inc.

The Farmer John semi-rigid package is the first of its style in the pre-cooked bacon market area. The package is contoured to provide dual display capabilities for the retailer - either as a stand-up pouch or as a pegged package. The film's properties give it the appropriate amount of rigidity in order to accommodate the use of a press-to-close zipper. This package also utilizes Curwood's EZ Peel opening technology, which enables the consumer to open the package without the use of a sharp utensil.

Judged in Packaging Excellence and Technical Innovation.

Friskies Treats - Various Flavors, 3oz.
Pliant Corporation™ and Bryce Corporation

The Friskies Treats stand-up pouches' shelf appeal sets it apart from its competition. Its unique shape, stunning graphics from the flexographic printing highlighted by use of metallized substrates really make the package stand out on the store shelf. The consumer loves the convenience of being able to reseal the package between uses. Cats appreciate the absence of offensive odors often associated with adhesive lamination and solvent based printing processes.

Judged in Printing Achievement.

Herr's 10 oz Kettle Cooked Potato Chips
Printpack Inc.

The Herr's 10oz Kettle Cooked Potato Chips utilizes a reverse printed matte polypropylene for greater product differentiation on shelves and also Printpack's MetalWhite technology provides greater distinction because of the high barrier attributes and white interior. The total package is a great match for the premier kettle chip and the customer's intended audience. Printpack has an extensive relationship with the polypropylene suppliers and together the proper materials were identified and qualified to provide Herr Foods with a premier looking package.

Judged in Printing Achievement.

Hershey Take 5
American Packaging Corporation

Flexographic digital plating was an excellent decision for this new product launch. The glossy appearance and superior reproduction achieve the customer's goal of projecting high quality product image.

Judged in Printing Achievement.

High Barrier Laminate for Battery Case
Pliant Corporation™

This lamination provides a lightweight package that is flexible, safe, inexpensive and can be rapidly prototyped to package battery components for the military. This laminate eliminates the use of heavy steel cases and the sealant material can be directly sealed to the cell's polarity leads.

Judged in Packaging Excellence and Technical Innovation.

High Barrier Lidstock for Hot Fill
Alcan Packaging

Pacific Coast Producers benefit from a higher barrier lidstock with excellent clarity for their retail individual serving, multi-packs of seasonally packed fruit. Highly oxygen-sensitive fresh packed fruits maintain product integrity for an extended period of time. Integrity of fruit products offered, including critically important color retention, allow Pacific Coast Producers to offer seasonal pack retail product year-round and capitalize on consumer trends for convenient, portable, healthy, high quality snack foods.

Judged in Technical Innovation.

Insta-Bowl™ Microwave Popcorn Bag
Exopack, LLC

The Insta-Bowl™ Microwave Popcorn Package will change the way consumers eat microwave popcorn. When the consumer is at the office working, the Insta-Bowl™ is a self-contained eating bowl that can allow easy access to the popped corn and allow fellow workers to share in the food. At home, the consumer can take the package from the microwave directly to their lap and consume the popcorn while watching a video or a sporting event on television. The convenience of the easy open feature and the self-contained bowl will allow consumers to save on transferring the cooked food to another bowl. This will also save on clean-up and dirty dishes.

Judged in Packaging Excellence and Technical Innovation.

J&J Chemical Ever Pro Tab Pouch
Exopack, LLC

This package brings a new flexible format to an industry more associated with less consumer friendly paper and corrugated packaging. The metalized polyester outer skin and high impact graphics incorporated in the package design further enhances the protection of its contents and enhances customer identity. Traditionally institutional and industrial items are packaged in corrugated cartons. This package design provides for unique brand identity important to maintaining current customers as well as gaining new ones. This innovative package design provides for a unique and innovative consumer impact setting it apart from traditional packages. High impact graphics on a closeable stand-up pouch for deodorizing tablets is a first in their industry.

Judged in Packaging Excellence and Technical Innovation.

Jennie-O Turkey Store® "Oven Ready" Turkey Bag with Curwood's IntegraScore® Opening Feature
Curwood, Inc.

The Jennie-O Turkey Store Turkey Bag is the first package to include Curwood's IntegraScore® opening feature along the side of a gusseted pouch. This technology eliminates the risk of damaging the inner bag when opening the outer pouch. The turkey bag is unique due to its reinforced handle, which gives the consumer an easy way to transport the product. The new package is also printed with high impact graphics to give the product an increased differentiation on store shelves. (Product is typically displayed on its own providing further differentiation of the product).

Judged in Packaging Excellence, Technical Innovation and Printing Achievement.

K.Heeps Fresh Seafood
Exopack, LLC

This package brings a new flexible format to an industry more associated with less consumer friendly paper packaging. The metalized polyester outer skin and high impact graphics incorporated in the package design further enhances the protection of its contents and enhances customer identity. Traditionally fresh fish is sold in low-grade poly bags, or kraft paper wrap. This innovative package design provides for a unique and innovative point of purchase impact setting it apart from traditional packages. High impact graphics on a recloseable stand-up pouch for fresh fish is a first in the over the counter fresh seafood industry.

Judged in Packaging Excellence.

Karkade- Flower Gujarati
Flex-America Inc.

This product has been printed by high class rotogravure printing in 8 colours using the PU systems of inks (Polyurethane) on 12 mic polyester. This is really high class printing which gives a different look to the product, high quality graphics, aesthetics and is a great brand promotion tool.

Judged in Printing Achievement.

Kellogg's Cereal Bowl Lidding
American Packaging Corporation

This high barrier metallized PET film lamination is a major technological advancement in the flexible packaging industry. Foil-like barrier properties are achieved in combination with the chemical resistance, improved flex crack resistance and tear resistance of a PET film in one substrate. The added benefit of reduced cost creates an attractive option to thin gauge foil.

Judged in Technical Innovation.

Laminated Foil Bags On-A-Roll
LPS Industries

PPG Aerospace Division asked LPS to work on a project to re-engineer their existing film/foil/film barrier bags. LPS was supplying PPG one-sided, generic printed bags. A thermal transfer label was applied to the pouch to differentiate their various products. LPS developed a foil "bag-on-a-roll" that could be run through PPG's existing thermal printers eliminating the existing print and need for a label (also reducing labor). Now LPS provides PPG with a box containing three rolls and one transfer ribbon that allows PPG to send all component parts to their packaging line in one unit.

Judged in Technical Innovation.

Land O' Frost® Dagwood's Shaved Lunch Meat in EZ Peel® /Reseal Package
Curwood, Inc.

Land O' Frost® Dagwood's Shaved Lunch Meat package incorporates Curwood's EZ Peel® / Reseal system into a semi-rigid forming film. This unique feature offers the product packager an alternative to zipper or tape closures. The system provides superior machineability and sealing characteristics for a reliably sealed, easy open package. The multi-use package can easily be resealed with fingertip pressure, which eliminates the need for the consumer to transfer the contents to a secondary container.

Judged in Packaging Excellence and Technical Innovation.

LePage Bakeries - Country Kitchen Donuts
Printpack Inc.

For 100 years, LePage Bakeries has been providing high quality baked products to consumers. LePage has a longstanding tradition of making continuous improvements in how it bakes, packages and delivers bakery products to its customers. The development and use of an all-plastic flexible package to package a product typically marketed in a folding carton or paper bag is just another example of how LePage has used innovation to enhance its position in the market, extend its product line, and grow its franchise of loyal consumers. The high clarity structure with stiffness/dead-fold characteristics for a block bottom look and an easy to use re-close feature, create a package that provides a great product display on the store shelf.

Judged in Technical Innovation.

Lesco Double Eagle Grass Seed
Exopack, LLC

Through the right combination of pinhole perforations and micro-perforations, lawn seed can now be reliably packaged in the more preffered polyethylene packaging. The high density, yet very fine micro-perforations placed along the exposed sides of the palletized seed bags, help maintain healthy seeds, while the pinhole perforations allow for rapid air release during the filling process. The result gives our customer, Lesco Incorporated, an improved package to better promote their products, a more durable, user friendly, attractive option.

Judged in Packaging Excellence.

McDowell's- Whiskey Pack
Flex-America Inc.

This is an innovative pack which has recently been launched by a top liquor manufacturer. It has had an excellent response from the consumer. Rotogravure printing provides high quality aesthetics. This packaging has reduced the packaging cost by over 20% and has also helped in arresting counterfeiting as the pouch is rendered useless after the bottle has been taken out, whereas the carton can be reused.

Judged in Packaging Excellence.

Microperf Dialyzer Package, The
Rollprint Packaging Products, Inc.

The Microperf Dialyzer Package is a newly designed EtO sterilizable pouch used by Baxter Healthcare Corporation for their single-use dialyzers. Developed by Rollprint Packaging Products, Inc., it consists of a 3 mil polyethylene copolymer film that is precision perforated to provide controlled porosity for effective EtO sterilization while maintaining product cleanliness. The perforated film, which was developed for its ability to offer excellent durability and reproducible perforation results, allowed Baxter to automate their dialyzer packaging via a Sig horizontal form/fill/seal machine, thereby replacing pre-made pouches that were filled and sealed individually by hand.

Judged in Packaging Excellence, Technical Innovation and Environmental Achievement.

Moran's Sirloin Patties Stand-up Pouch
Pliant Corporation™

This new package has vastly improved the presence of the product in the retail market. It's very attractive 10-color design provides excellent retail shelf appeal and is a significant improvement over the previous package. The appearance, texture and overall feel of the package attracts consumers and makes a great impact at the retail level leading to increased sales. This package has led to increased sales growth and increased consumer satisfaction.

Judged in Packaging Excellence.

Mrs. Paul's Fish Sticks
Pliant Corporation™

The Mrs. Paul's Fish Sticks Package uses stunning graphics to catch the consumers' attention in the marketplace. The heavy gauge polyethylene package provides strength, vapor barrier to maintain freshness and convenience of a Innolock closure. The polyethylene resin blend allows enhanced machinability for cost reduction. Tthe enhanced strength of the package allows for a larger capacity and convenience of a "family sized" package.

Judged in Packaging Excellence.

Nature's Variety - Lamb & Rice Medley, 30lb.
Pliant Corporation™ and Bryce Corporation

The Nature's Variety - Lamb and Rice Medley, 30 lb. features an advanced multilayer, all plastic construction, which employs printing techniques that elevate shelf appeal to a new level when compared to the multiwall paper structure used previously. A metallized PET layer has been incorporated within the new structure giving the package a reflective look, giving the graphics a more three dimensional appearance. The flexographic printing process uses low odor, water based inks, which rival gravure quality. The reverse printed clear PET outer layer gives greatly improved gloss over the printed paper used previously and protects the printing. The improved construction also palletizes and stacks well, it features a one-way valve to purge air and allowing the bag to flatten and an antiskid outer surface to reduce sliding when bags are stacked. When positioned next to its competition on the store shelf the new packaging stands out to the consumer.

Judged in Printing Achievement.

Navratan- Hair Oil Pack
Flex-America Inc.

This is an extremely consumer friendly pack. A profile has been provided for easy pourability and consumer convenience, for easy pourability without spilling/wastage. High quality aesthetics have been provided by rotogravure printing. The laminate consists of a MET PET layer which adds to the gloss of the printing. It replaces a rigid container, therefore provides considerable cost-reduction.

Judged in Technical Innovation.

Non-Foil Retort Pouch for Asian Style Selections
Alcan Packaging

Asian Style Selections uses the first domestically converted high barrier, non-foil retort stand-up pouch. With Ceramis® as its clear, high barrier layer, the microwavable pouch brings the added consumer convenience of allowing an entire meal, that serves four, to be prepared within minutes. Shelf-stable for a year, the four-item line, prepared fresh, includes 18-oz pouches of Sweet & Sour Chicken, Szechwan Chicken and Beef Teriyaki, each with precooked long-grain white rice.

Judged in Packaging Excellence and Technical Innovation.

Novartis Starlix® (nateglinide) Tablets
Alcoa Flexible Packaging

Novartis Pharmaceutical Corp. utilizes a 45cc Kerr bottle/closure system that provides child resistance, yet is senior friendly, for physicians' samples. The sample hosts a reverse-printed PVC shrink sleeve from Alcoa Flexible Packaging. The Alcoa sleeve provides product and brand identification designed to remain on the bottle, providing continuous identification integrity. Should the sleeve be removed, the bottle has a MeadWestvaco pressure-sensitive label containing pertinent product information. This is the first adaptation of the popular shrink sleeve technology in the pharmaceutical industry.

Judged in Technical Innovation.

Originale - Quick Dissolve Sugar
Flex-America Inc.

A small convenient pack for packaging sugar, this is definitely an improvement over the usual trend of buying loose sugar and then storing it in PET jars. It has received a tremendous response in the market. An immensely consumer friendly, easy to handle package with a reclosable zipper for sealing after every use. High quality aesthetics, provided by rotogravure printing, useful for brand promotion.

Judged in Packaging Excellence.

Orlando Four Cheese Garlic Bread & Orlando Italian Garlic Bread
American Packaging Corporation

This reverse printed package uses NuDot Technology to produce superior flexographic print reproduction. The impact of using NuDot, state-of-the-art equipment, and highly skilled operators is truly realized in these designs. The print quality is second-to-none and represents outstanding advancement and achievement in Flexographic printing.

Judged in Printing Achievement.

Ortho Bug-Geta Snail & Slug Killer- 4lb.
Peel Plastic Products Ltd./ The Scotts Company

By moving from a folding carton to a stand-up pouch with a spout, The Scotts Company was able to move the Ortho Bug-Geta Snail & Slug Killer products from inside the store to the outdoor garden centers. The flexible package not only improves the shelf appeal but also protects the product from moisture. The spout insert brings a new level of convenience and accuracy in dispensing the granular product to consumers while reducing the source materials with respect to a rigid bottle. The space efficiencies of the pouch also reduce trucking and storage requirements throughout the supply chain.

Judged in Technical Innovation and Environmental Achievement.

Peel Open Soluble Film Strip and Pouch
Alcan Packaging

The package is also available for soluble filmstrips in a peelable high barrier foil-to-foil lamination as well as in child resistant packaging configuration when desired.

Judged in Packaging Excellence and Technical Innovation.

Pliant Freezene Armor
Pliant Corporation™

Our customer's passion for quality led them to seek a product that would eliminate package failures both in the freezer case and in the freezer at home. They needed a real solution - a step change improvement in packaging tough puncture inducing frozen foods. Pliant developed the Ultra-Freezene product for these types of challenges. A metallocene based film with good stiffness, outstanding sealability and excellent low temperature puncture resistance. This particular challenge requires excellent printing and scuff resistance as well. Thus, the Ultra-Freezene was coupled with a Biaxis bioriented nylon film to provide additional scuff resistance and protection to ink. Sun Chemical Flexomax lamination inks were utilized for this package. The final product proved to be a great success.

Judged in Technical Innovation.

Pliant Freezene Pure
Pliant Corporation™

Our customer was seeking a high end package to compliment their premium quality offering of Sea Scallops. Costco's graphics team created a very sharp image that we transferred to film with high fidelity. We used higher screens for resolution and employed plate cell and dithering technologies for those little nuances that make all the difference. We used our superior Ultra-Freezene product to ensure outstanding low temperature performance and excellent heat sealability. his is an attractive and functionally superior package.

Judged in Printing Achievement.

Plumrose USA's Thermoform/Fill/Seal Shingled Sandwich Meat Package w/Curwood's EZ Peel® System and IntegraScore® Opening Feature and Hooded Slider
Curwood, Inc.

Curwood's IntegraScore opening technology has facilitated the introduction of a Slider Zipper on formable packages made on HFFS equipment. The IntegraScore feature is a scoring technology that provides directional tear in the package as well as a new level of tamper evidence. By placing Curwood's EZ Peel technology below the hermetic seal, the package can easily be opened without the use of a scissors or knife in order to access the product.

Judged in Packaging Excellence and Technical Innovation.

Pop-Thru Core-Peel®
Amcor Flexibles Healthcare

Pop-Thru Paper Core-Peel® is a revolutionary new product that is primarily used for the packaging of pipettes and syringes. Using the patented Core-Peel® technology, the product offers true particulate-free peel aseptic delivery and rapid access "pop-through" opening methods.

Judged in Technical Innovation.

Rasna - Jucy Fruit Gain Drink
Flex-America Inc.

This is an extremely consumer friendly pack. A profile has been provided for easy pourability and consumer convenience, for easy pourability without spilling/ wastage. High quality aesthetics have been provided by rotogravure printing. The laminate consists of a MET PET layer which adds to the gloss of the printing. It replaces a PET container, therefore providing considerable cost-reduction.

Judged in Packaging Excellence.

Reduced Material Pouchstock Beverage Pouch
Alcan Packaging

Softpac's beverage pouch, produced from a foil-based lamination supplied by Alcan Packaging, provides an excellent alternative to conventional rigid packaging such as bottles, cans, drink boxes and gable top cartons. The new reduced weight SoftPac pouch uses 0.79 grams of packaging per fluid ounce of beverage. Rigid containers use from 1.64 to 6.0 grams of packaging per fluid ounce of beverage. So, the reduced weight beverage pouch uses only 13% to 48% of the packaging weight of rigid containers. This makes the pouch a prime example of the "reduce" approach to environmentally consciousness packaging for beverages.

Judged in Environmental Achievement.

Remington Arms Metallic Components Pouch
Exopack, LLC

Rotogravure graphics on a re-closable stand-up pouch for reloading components is a first in the sporting ammunition industry. This package provides strong visual impact setting it apart from traditional poly packages. Pegboard or standup display allows full display of contents. The pouch incorporates tear notches and press to close zipper for customer convenience. This package brings a flexible format to an industry associated with less consumer friendly rigid packaging.

Judged in Packaging Excellence.

Safeway Treasure Chips Original and Chunky
Printpack Inc.

This package was printed with digital photopolymer plates. It displays tight overall registration for a four-color process, smooth gradations, drop shadows and multiple colors used to manufacturer the scroll map graphic on face panel. The small type in the nutrition facts and ingredients is very clean, sharp and legible. The scroll map graphic and cookies display definition, sharpness, detail and excellent textural qualities. The cookies look very realistic, appetizing and ready to eat!

Judged in Printing Achievement.

Sainsbury's Sandwich Filler Pouch
CLP Industries Ltd.

With handsome single-serving pouches and easy-opening laser scores, Sainsbury's uses flexible packaging technology to take sandwich fillers to a new level of convenience and consumer choice. With a quick tear without scissors or knives, a gentle squeeze to dispense the contents and a quick toss of the empty pouch, every member of the family has a favorite sandwich. Product flavor and quality are protected. Unlike jars or tubs, the single serving packs are sealed until use.