PETpla.net Insider 09 / 2010

PRODUCTS 55 PET planet insider Vol. 11 No. 09/10 www.petpla.net Valve cap with dosage control In October 2009, Homann acquired the license rights for the Livio brand for delica- tessen commodity groups such as ketchup, mayonnaise and dressings. The com- pany says that this development will lead to an expansion of the brand portfolio. A new container for its premium ketchup builds on the shape of the metal Livio Klas- sik vegetable oil container, which has high recognition on supermarket shelves. The design and function of the new cap was entrusted to Weener Plastik AG. Controllable dosage A valve solution was chosen for cap of the Homann premium ketchup that allows precise dosage. This is intended to eliminate typical sticky, soiled exit openings and their unattractive appearance. Weener’s plastic valves enable dosage characteristics to be precisely adjusted, from drop-by-drop to a defined stream. The geometry and the slot of the self-closing valve are responsible for regulation of the product release. The active hinge, located on the side, enables a free view of the opening and allows precise dosage by the end-user. The distinctive outer contour of the container required a precisely defined screw-on position for the cap. Weener says that the method chosen for this application ensures that the cap still seals reliably after the foil seal has been removed. Tight timing Weener utilized simultane- ous engineering possibilities during the development of the product, leading to a sig- nificant reduction in develop- ment time. The initial inquiry was received from Homann in late summer and the first retail samples were required to be available by the begin- ning of October. Weener was able to meet met the tight schedule, with a container that allows clean, easy and quick product dosage, while meeting demands for func- tionality and quality. Weener Plastik AG’s core business consists of primary packaging such as closures, valve-closures, plastic bottles and jars, as well as dosing units and dosing systems. The Weener Plastic Packag- ing Group (WPPG) has pro- duction plants in 16 countries worldwide. www.wppg.com