Diameters may range from 38 to 120 mm, but regardless of the neck finish on HDPE jars filled on four packaging lines at Century Foods, tamper evidence is assured since the August installation of four induction-sealing machines from Pillar Technologies.
Based in Sparta, WI, Century Foods is a contract packager of powdered protein beverages in HDPE jars sold at retail in a variety of sizes up to 5-lb. Before the induction sealers were installed, the firm's tamper-evident feature consisted of pressure-sensitive foam liners pressed down onto containers during capping. But powder residue on the land of the containers occasionally jeopardized seal integrity of these liners.
Since the Pillar Foiler induction cap sealers were installed, tamper evidence is assured. Foil liners are already inside the injection-molded polypropylene caps that are bought by Century Foods from several suppliers. Shortly after caps are applied and torqued down-at speeds to 60 jars/minute, the containers run through the 4-kW Pillar machines so that the foil can be induction-sealed to the neck finishes of the containers.
According to Century's Rick Halvorsen, national director of sales, it's largely about putting customers at ease. "When consumers open these jars and see that inner seal intact, they can have full confidence in the quality and integrity of the product," says Halvorsen. He acknowledges that induction sealing did add to the overall cost of the package. But the upcharge is far outweighed, he adds, by the benefit gained.
Additional information on Century Foods can be obtained at www.centuryfoods.com, or e-mail info@centuryfoods.com.
Copyright 2002 Summit Publishing Company. All rights reserved. This article from the February 2002 issue of M PACKAGING WORLD® Magazine is reprinted by permission of Summit Publishing Company. PACKAGING WORLD® is a registered trademark of Summit Publishing Follow the link below for more information on induction cap sealing systems.