As featured in the May 2010 issue of PKN Packaging News, Cormack Packaging discusses the evolution of dispensing closures and technology in Australia, and their ongoing commitment to be at the forefront of closure innovations.

 

The functionality of dispensing closures has evolved from basic sealing and protection to improved dispensing and the creation of a total product experience for consumers. In Australia, Cormack Packaging is one of the pioneers in this packaging sector.

Change in the design and function of dispensing closures has been driven by the evolving needs of both consumers and brand owners. As time-poor consumers have become more product savvy, they have demanded products that offered ease of use, improved accessibility, and greater value for money. Brand owners have realised the importance of adapting their product range to match consumer expectations and to respond to increased competition as a result of globalisation, the growing pressure of private label in the Australian retail environment, and price sensitivity.
Sydney-based specialist in dispensers and closures Cormack Packaging tells PKN it has been at the forefront of innovation in closures and dispensing technology in Australia. Over the past few decades, the company has introduced a broad range of dispensing and closure solutions, including twist, hinge, flip-top, double wall, sports beverage and disc-top closures. It also represents a number of international principals (Rexam, MWV Calmar, GCS - including Zeller and CCS - and Weatherchem), giving its customers access to cutting-edge dispensing and closure technology.
One of the first closure breakthroughs Cormack introduced to the local market was the patented Zeller Butterfly hinged closure, which was launched in the 1980s and is still a top seller today.
"This closure offered a dispensing cap with a flip-lid that was retained for the life of the pack. The flip-lid featured a definitive fold-back position when opened, making it ideal for dispensing a variety of products," says Howard Glinn, Cormack sales and marketing manager.
The launch of Cormack's 28 Long Skirt Sports Cap in 1999 revolutionised the beverage industry by extending the market into new consumer categories, according to Glinn.
"The pull-push closure was a first in Australia and its introduction advanced the successful integration of sports drinks into the athletic and casual fitness markets. The cap allowed hands-free operation and directional flow - optimal for quenching thirst quickly and easily," he says.
Since then, refinement of the beverage sports closure to provide improved pack performance has been ongoing. Cormack's in-house design team continues to work with leading beverage manufacturers and trend experts to interpret consumer's changing needs and design cutting-edge solutions to match these.
The Australian food industry has also benefited from dispensing closure innovation with the launch of Cormack Packaging's 38mm Twist Cap.
"MARS Food was the first customer to see the advantages of the Twist Cap when it combined the closure with its Squeezy Bottle concept, transforming long held traditional views on the way consumers dispensed tomato sauce," Glinn says. "The traditional glass bottle format with a standard flat cap was replaced as consumers and brand owners adopted the innovation with haste."
Further developments in the functionality of dispensing closures has lead to the transformation of various products and food categories, as innovation has allowed more convenient dispensing solutions for a diverse range of product viscosities.

"The incorporation of a valve into a flat topped hinged closure for the honey market allowed the container to be held upside down for better storage and improved product usage." Glinn says. "while improvements to hinged dispensing closures has allowed for more convenient, clean dispensing of a range of chunkier condiments and sauces."

The need for continued improvement and innovation in the functionality of dispensing closures is a key initiative of Cormack's new Product Development Team. The team consists of engineers and designers whose role involves taking a project from concept to commercialisation, from a customers brief through to the final execution of the project.

"The process of new product development is to understand the end users ritual of use, see what the brand owner currently has and develop a better closure for them," says Glinn

The product development team works collaboratively with account managers and designers to translate consumer insights and customer brand strategy into innovative and technically advanced closure and dispensing product solutions.

PKN Packaging News, May 2010 page 16

For more information on the range of dispensing closures featured or for more generalised product enquiries please contact us at www.cormack.com.au

 

 

On Demand- Cormack Packaging's ‘Cowboy' closure requested by NRL elite

Ever wondered how those elite players of the National Rugby League (NRL) stay hydrated? The Cormack Packaging 38mm twist beverage closure known as ‘Cowboy' proved to be the preference recently amongst a number of teams when they requested a range of their favorite Gatorade products to be supplied with the closure for the 2010 season.

Proving to be a more convenient option for players, the Gatorade brand will replace the current 38mm flat cap with the purpose designed closure. The ‘Cowboy' 38mm twist has been designed with the deliverable of easy opening and utilisation during movement occasions, which is ideal for any athlete from elite levels to the casual jogger. The twist design allows users to open and close the closure with the mouth, preventing contamination from fingers and allowing free flowing movement whilst re-hydrating. The shape of the mouthpiece allows for controlled and directional flow during consumption to quench immediate thirst, creating a positive experience for the consumer.

Functionality plays a significant role in the development of any closure by the Cormack Packaging design team. Designers take an approach of placing themselves in the eyes, and in this case lips of the consumer to deliver an exceptional product experience for brand owners. With a distinguished aesthetic from other product closures on the market, the design team went beyond functional performance to deliver a closure that commands stand out shelf presence and memorable consumer interactions.

To view the range of 2010 Beverage Closure innovations and trends from Cormack Packaging, or to find out how the design team can deliver your ideal beverage closure contact the Sales and Marketing team at sales@cormack.com.au

 

Innovation came to life for the 2008 Cormack Innovation Awards winner Damien Azzopardi as he commenced his 3 month internship with Cormack Packaging. Damien will be given the unique opportunity to work with the highly skilled in-house design and engineering teams to bring his winning design to life and presenting as a product concept to a number of Cormack's industry leading customers.

 

COMPRESSION MOLDED CLOSURES

Cormack Packaging is proud to announce access to Compression Molded closures for the beverage market.

So what is the difference between compression molded and injection molded technology and what benefits does it afford users?

• Injection Molding uses a screw to force molten plastic through a gate into a form
• Compression Molding uses semi molten plastic being forced into a shape under pressure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefits of Compression Molded closures:

Light-weight but stronger closure

• Unique double compression moulded process producing a light- weight closure
• Compression process minimises closure stress points for stronger caps

TE band offers:

• Low & consistent application forces
• Excellent flushing capabilities

Compression liner for excellent sealing vacuum retention = product stability

• Available in barrier, non-barrier and custom options

Low application torques

• Applied in-lbs: 25 in-lbs
• Removal in-lbs: 15 in-lbs
• Requires less or no steam/heat on filling and capping
• Also leaves liner lubricated with it's natural polymers (slip) which aids removal

More Information

• Band encourages smooth, consistent and low application forces
• High speed capping 800 bpm+
• Weight 2,2 grams
• Packing 950 cartons x 2500 pieces = 2.325 million

Sizes

• 33mm
• 38mm
• 43mm

To request samples of these remarkable closures or to discuss the opportunities this technology can offer your business please contact Cormack Packaging directly. 

 

Cormack Packaging has won the prestigious Western Sydney Industry Award for Excellence in Innovation.

The Western Sydney Industry Awards are an initiative of the NSW Government's Office of the Minister for Western Sydney, in partnership with the Greater Western Sydney Economic Development Board and the NSW Department of State and Regional Development.

The awards, now in their eigth year, are one of their biggest of their type in Australia and showcase the innovation and diversity of Western Sydney businesses, especially the manufacturing sector.

Manufacturing is the dominant industry and large employer in Western Sydney, contributing over $30 billion annually in sales and service to the region, Minister for Western Sydney, Barbara Perry, said.

The annual awards were judged by former ABC science correspondent, David Ellyard together with Dr Judith Bennett and Mr Walter Suber.

Cormack Packaging won the Excellence in Innovation award in the innovative product or service category for its new Swing Cap.

This new beverage cap has an attractive ergonomic mouth piece, a protective cap that when open remains away from the face when open, is tamper evident and presents no choking hazard.

Cormack's Managing Director, Mathew Cormack, said the Swing Cap has proven popular with consumers and is part of the above-forecast success of the beverage that it is first appearing on.

"The Swing Cap was commissioned by a leading international beverage company who regard it as a ground breaking design," Mr Cormack said.

Cormack defeated stiff competition from other local companies supplying products and equipment for applications as diverse as the A380 airbus and semi conductors for Blackberry devices and mobile phones.