Rollprint Packaging Products, based in Chicago, Illinois, US, has opened a prototype laboratory for pharmaceutical and medical disposal products to provide customers with an accurate picture of what would happen to pharmaceutical packs when they are produced commercially.
Included in the lab is a Multivac thermoforming unit for testing a variety of thermoformed tray/lidding combinations in addition to cold form foil packaging and a 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 "behaviour" is best suited to the product," said Doug Dodrill, vice president of technology at Rollprint. "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 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 lids to preformed rigid tray prototypes with vacuum and/or gas flushing.
A retort/autoclave unit and container abuse test equipment complete the equipment in the lab.