Zip-Pak has announced the development of a zipper technology specifically designed for barrier packaging that is said to eliminate the need for equipment upgrades or retrofitting.
The new technology enables resealability to be added to high-barrier flexible packaging. The combination of zipper closures and barrier packaging provides optimum convenience and extended shelf life for a wide range of products that have stringent moisture or oxygen barrier requirements.
"This development allows companies to use Inno-Lok technology to add resealability to their high-barrier packaging without modifying existing packaging machinery or purchase new equipment," said Robert Hogan, director of sales and marketing for Zip-Pak. "This innovation provides one more cost-effective alternative to major consumer brands by enabling them to increase the effectiveness of their packaging."
By teaming up Zip-Pak's proprietary new barrier zipper with Hudson Sharp's patented Inno-Lok pre-zippered film technology, converters can produce what Zip-Pak claims is a value-added package.
The company's new barrier zipper was specially designed to be applied to high-barrier films using the Inno-Lok process. The resulting pre-zippered rollstock maintains the film's essential protective properties. This new innovation creates an alternative closure for oxygen-sensitive products like nuts, snack foods, dried fruits, cheese, meats and coffee.
According to Hogan, the zipper is applied transversely to the film so that a 'short side' zipper pouch (meaning the zipper runs on the short side of the pouch) can be formed. It is designed for easy implementation on most F/F/S machines for pillow-pack, gusseted and flat bottom bags.
Machinery can easily transition back and forth between different items, eliminating additional set-up time and providing packagers with increased scheduling flexibility. For companies packaging oxygen-sensitive products, this development offers the opportunity to add a resealable zipper to packaging without making a large capital investment or sacrificing machine speeds or package integrity.
With more than 200 patented zipper profiles, Zip-Pak is a worldwide leader for resealable packaging technology. World headquarters are located in Illinois, US.