STI Group Brings Shelf-Ready Packaging into Top Form
The new mechanism can be designed in any desired shape: The rip edge can be fluted or follow along a flowing text, or follow a neckline that goes until the bottom of the tray.
3/16/2011 --- Shelf-ready packaging solutions improve efficiency, help keep goods available and improve the look on the shelf factors highly appreciated by manufacturers and retailers alike. As part of the Innovationparc Packaging at the Interpack 2011, the STI Group will be presenting an innovative opening mechanism that provides an even greater boost to product presentation and handling.
In the words of the Blue Book from ECR Europe, "for shelf-ready packaging to be considered retailer friendly, it has to be easy to open, even without a knife." Many shelf trays lose part of their good looks when opened. Shelf-ready packaging to date has used multi-part solutions to avoid that problem. The new "easy open" mechanism makes yet another jump staying attractive even for single-piece packaging like American folding boxes and wrap-around blanks.
"With this 'easy open' technology we've developed a product that enables a clean and controlled tearing open of corrugated packaging. Unlike the classic tear perforation or integrated tear-open strip, 'easy open' uses two scored lines applied precisely during the die cutting of the inner and outer cover of the packaging. Because the flutes are not damaged by this novel technology, the packaging doesn't rip in the same way a traditional perforation does," explains Ulrich Klüber, Head of Design and Innovation Packaging STI Group.
The solution is more affordable than a tear strip since there's no need for extra materials or production steps.
"Easy open" brings SRP into form
The new mechanism can be designed in any desired shape: The rip edge can be fluted or follow along a flowing text, or follow a neckline that goes until the bottom of the tray.
Best Logistics Properties
"Easy Open" scores big compared with perforated products especially when it comes to logistics processes because it has almost no impact on the packaging's BCT value. "From F to B flutes, almost all single-wall profiles can be outfitted with this mechanism," Klüber says about the STI Group's patented process. “Therefore it applies not just for shelf packaging, but for many other types of promotional packaging as well.”
