33 PRODUCTS PETplanet Insider Vol. 25 No. 01+02/24 www.petpla.net EasyTether solution The R&D team at plastic packaging producer Retal’s dedicated innovation centre in Lithuania has spent much of the last two years creating and developing a range of tethered closures that can partner with its preforms in different neck finishes. This has resulted in several tethered-ready options that meet all the rules, the company says. In addition to this careful R&D of technologically advanced tethered closures, the company has announced the discovery of a simple solution: a tethered closure solution that is claimed to be almost free to implement, to require only small machinery changes, and to result in a practical, comfortable tethered closure meeting the strict demands of many of Europe’s leading beverage brands. The head of Retal’s R&D department Anton Sugoniaev explains this solution: “We work closely with our compression machine supplier and they shared with us a small change inside the tooling that produces the caps. With this small but crucial change, we have been able to create what we call our Easy Tether solution.” This solution uses the same cap as its standard slitted cap; the only difference is that one bridge is not cut, thanks to the shorter blade that doesn’t cut the standard 360 degrees, but rather has a shorter blade that leaves one connection, which formed the ‘tether’. Sugoniaev continues, “It’s simple, strong and meets the legislation. As there’s practically no cost involved, with zero cost to the customer; they use the same cap shape as before and work exactly as they’re used to. It’s easy for us to share the solution with our customers and show them how it works and how it allows them to be in good time for the legislation at no downtime or investment to them or their production line.” These caps with a remaining connection would have previously been considered defective, he explains, while they are now in line with the new regulations and can be produced at high volumes with no additional costs, changes or downtime. Alongside the EasyTether, the company offers a range of technically complex tethered solutions for the popular 29/25, 1810 and 1881 neck finishes, with the team able to deliver a comparison of possible solutions to customers across Europe. www.retalgroup.com Pulsed-light technology helps beverage producers comply with EU regulations for tethered caps Mandatory tethered cap is a real challenge for the producers. The implementation requires to adjust their manufacturing processes. They have to work closely with the caps suppliers to redesign the cap and potentially with the capping machine manufacturers to review the filling line and adjust the cap chute. Claranor’s pulsed-light technology can decontaminate every kind of caps: flat, sport and also tethered caps. Recent microbiological tests have been run to confirm the performances on those new cap shapes. Producers could request this microbiological test results or ask to test their new caps. Compact, the equipment can be easily integrated on existing or new filling lines. Claranor offers a full range in terms of speeds - from Claranor Essential, a solutions up to 16,000bph to Inncap Evolution, a decontamination machine for high-speed filling line up to 120,000bph. The solutions are adapted for ultra-clean hot and cold fill ESL and preserved foods. The new Inncap Evolution machine is designed to ensure that their patented guidance channel could take over the technical constraints of those new tethered caps, especially their lightweight and thinner shape. Thus, the operation is jam-free, and the cap flow is continuous. Plus, Claranor helps beverages producers in achieving their sustainable goals: Their machines use no water, and no chemicals, and are sober in energy consumption. www.claranor.com
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