Innovations in design, engineering and ergonomics take closures to the next level
Three new screw caps combine comfort and convenience for consumers with simplicity and efficiency for producers.
- DreamCap, an ergonomically designed closure specially for on-the-go consumption
- LightCap, designed to keep plastic use and cost to a minimum, making it particularly suited for larger-sized closures
- HeliCap, which combines one-step easy opening with distinctive tamper evidence.
These latest offerings further enhance Tetra Pak’s industry leading portfolio of closures and closures, offering the widest range of packaging options to satisfy a diversity of consumer scenarios and market categories — from portion packs for on-the-go consumption to family packs for the home, and from premium juices to everyday milk.
The consumer remains at the heart of Tetra Pak’s latest closure designs, which provide a superior beverage experience both at home and on-the-go. The new closures that are initially aimed at the drink-at-home market deliver benefits that include ease of opening and reclosing, and suitability for larger-sized openings that are easier to handle and pour from. For the growing number of consumers who enjoy their beverages on-the-go, closure technology has evolved to incorporate advanced ergonomic design that brings improved comfort and convenience.
Consumer innovation is built on the understanding that beverage makers demand highly competitive, cost-efficient solutions and the new Tetra Pak screw caps help producers improve their offering in a number of ways.
DreamCap
Global demographic shifts are driving changes to the ways, times and places in which people enjoy their beverages. More and more consumers are leading busy lives away from the home, both in their professional and leisure time. DreamCap is designed specifically to meet the growing demand from consumers who want to enjoy their liquid dairy products (LDP) and juice, nectars and still drinks (JNSD) on-the-go.
Following usability testing in four markets, DreamCap is designed to meet consumer demand for comfort, convenience and style. DreamCap’s raised neck and the over-the-edge opening fit the face and lips, while a large 26mm diameter provides the preferred way to consume the beverage by giving the consumer improved control over the flow of liquid.
Consumer feedback shows that DreamCap is appealing as an innovative and modern design, easy and comfortable to drink from, highly portable, simple to dispose of and safe.
DreamCap will initially be available on the Tetra Prisma Aseptic 330 Square size. DreamCap can be integrated to TBA/19 packaging lines by purchasing the new CAP 30 Flex. In a second stage this solution will be validated for Tetra Pak A3/CompactFlex, Tetra Pak A3/Flex and TBA/21, ensuring low investment for existing and new customers.
LightCap
Aimed initially at the drink-at-home market, LightCap is designed to meet the needs of both consumer and producer. By using the minimal amount of plastic to help lower costs and improve environmental performance, it is particularly suited to larger-sized openings, which are generally easier to handle for small and large hands, and pour from .
Benefits are possible because of Tetra Pak’s industry-first combination of Pre-Laminated Hole (PLH) and Direct Injection Moulding Concept (DIMC) technologies. DIMC technology — already used by Tetra Pak customers for milk — allows the base of the closure neck to be moulded as flat as possible to the underside of the packaging material, providing the maximum pouring area.
Combining this technology with PLH based packaging materials makes LightCap ideal for the ambient distribution of beverages and oxygen sensitive products, such as vitamin-enriched milks, flavoured milks, soya milks, juices, nectars and still drinks such as iced-tea.
LightCap will initially be available on Tetra Brik Aseptic family size packages.
HeliCap
HeliCap is a one-step screw cap that brings convenience and confidence to consumers. Initially aimed at the drink-at-home market, it has been developed to combine easy-to-open functionality with noticeable security features. HeliCap has a good grip, a clearly visible tamper evidence ring and concentrates a low opening force on the first turn of the cap — enough for the consumer to feel the tamper ring breaking.
The use of advanced PLH based packaging materials allow for a simplified filling machine set up resulting in higher line efficiency. This, combined with reduced glue consumption by nearly 50 per cent, lowers overall production costs.
It is the first time a cutter-based closure has been applied to PLH packaging materials on the Tetra Brik Aseptic 1-litre Slim range. The Cap Applicator 30, fitted with a cap positioning system, delivers highly accurate application of the HeliCap screw cap, to enhance the quality of the opening experience.
HeliCap requires limited additional investment depending on existing equipment installed. Kits will be available for existing Tetra Brik Aseptic Slim 1000 packaging lines including: