Proprietary tooling makes Placon’s new tamper-evident thermoformed containers possible

Placon, a manufacturer of thermoformed plastic packaging, has launched a new package that puts consumer food packaging safety at the forefront. The new Crystal Seal tamper-evident PET thermoformed food containers are 100% recyclable with a patent-pending feature that helps minimize the potential of food tampering.

The tamper-evident containers are available now in seven grab-and-go sizes from 8 to 64 oz.

The food containers feature no removable byproducts or tear-away pieces, which the company said not only minimizes potential choking hazards; but the double-hinged tamper-evident design also eliminates the necessity for shrink bands or tamper-evident labels. The plastic packaging's offset, recessed cavity instructional tabs ensure easy gripping and opening while the leak-resistant design ensures no messes or spills either in store aisles or while on the go.

Don McCumber, principal product designer for Placon, told PlasticsToday that building the tamper-evident feature began with a highly developed manufacturing process. Placon engineered proprietary tooling specifically for this application and for each size.

"The tamper-evident feature consists of two perforations," he said. "Both have been precisely developed so that upon opening, the breakaway perforation separates from the clamshell, while the permanent hinge remains intact, but now in an upright position as a visual alert of having been tampered with. A patent-pending feature of the product helps in aligning the lid to the base when closing the lid which also helps the container, when closed, resist tampering."

Strong and stackable, the food packaging containers are easy to separate by hand or via automation with minimal ribbing on sidewalls to provide maximum product visibility. Designed for retailers, brand owners and food processors looking for safe packaging, the new recyclable plastic containers are designed to attractively and safely merchandise foods from salads, salsas, single serve desserts, pre-made meals and dry packed items from nuts and snack mixes to candy.

Jeff Lucash, director of Placon's sales for stock products, said that tamper-evident packaging isn't a new trend, but continues to be an ongoing concern in regards to packaging food safely for the consumer.

"Consumers want safely packaged food whether it's tamper-resistant and/or evident through package design, shrinkbanding or using tamper-evident labeling," he said. "Having tamper-evident features on our plastic food containers gives consumers more confidence when buying grab-and-go, pre-packaged and other deli items that their food hasn't been tampered with after it was packaged."

The company's EcoStar recycling plant and ThermoPET FDA approved sheet is used in its PET food product lines. The packaging is 100% recyclable and is produced with up to 100% post-consumer recycled content from bottles and thermoforms.

"We choose recycled PET, not only for its outstanding clarity, strength and reliability but also because of its earth-friendly ability to be continuously recycled and reused," he said.
 
The Crystal Seal tamper-evident product line is available now nationwide.