Challenges in hot filling of wide-mouthed bottles, particularly capping and seal integrity issues, are said to be avoided due to a new design used in blowmolding of Amcor Big Mouth bottles, a new range of wide mouth PET (polyethylene terephthalate) container introduced by processor Amcor PET Packaging (Ann Arbor, MI). The new containers could see use in glass-replacement applications for packaging of pasta sauce, apple sauce, jams and jellies, salsa and other food products filled at temperatures up to 195° F.
Not surprisingly, Amcor (www.amcor.com) offered little detail on exactly how it was able, with the new container’s patent-pending design, to overcome problems of a lack of dimensional consistency in the container finish area. The company did say that, rather than simply trimming off the top after blow molding the jar, which can leave a relatively slim and sharp landing area for cap application, it adds another step in the process which gives these Big Mouth jars a flatter, smoother and wider surface, making for easier application of closures and helping eliminate any issues of poor sealing. The new bottles have a smooth surface—no ribbing—for ease of labeling.
