Rollprint Packaging Products Inc. opened a new prototype laboratory to provide pharmaceutical and medical disposal manufacturers with state-of-the-art packaging support.
“Our goal in upgrading our prototyping capability is to provide our customers with package performance information that will paint an accurate picture of what would happen in a commercial environment,” explains Doug Dodrill, vice president of technology, Rollprint.
One of the components of the new prototype lab is a commercial Multivac® thermoforming unit. Coupled with the lab’s tray sealers, Rollprint will now be able to test a wide variety of thermoformed tray/lidding combinations. The lab also has cold-form foil packaging and pouch-making capability.
“We are now able to run a variety of material configurations on a commercial machine, which is a big asset in determining what packaging ‘behavior’ is best suited to the product,” Dodrill says. “For example, we can mate a thermoformed bottom web to an uncoated or coated paper, coated or uncoated Tyvek®, or a high-density polyethylene peelable lidstock. Also, our bottom webs can be made from a wide range of materials including ones with barrier properties.”
In the area of cold-formed foil packages, Rollprint is providing prototyping capability for products that generally require a higher barrier level. This includes moisture-sensitive products such as dissolvable sutures, diagnostic devices, or liquids, which maintain their properties by eliminating oxygen ingress. Cold-formed foil packages are frequently accompanied by peelable or weld-seal foil, depending on opening criteria.
The company is also able to seal lidding to preformed rigid tray prototypes with vacuum and/or gas flushing. Rounding out the lab is a retort/autoclave unit and container abuse test equipment.
“Today’s pharmaceutical and medical disposables manufacturers are frequently looking upstream to help support development efforts and help speed-to-market,” Dodrill says.
Separately, the company also announced that it has formed Alliantz Flexible Packaging Pte. Ltd., a joint venture between itself and Acme Packaging Co. (Pte) Ltd., Singapore. Alliantz has been formed to serve the flexible packaging supply needs of Southeast Asia and China.
