New Cartoner Technology Enables CPGs to Perform Consumer and Shelf-Life Testing of Zipbox®

FDA-registered packaging facility to demonstrate production of innovative resealable carton for faster market entry
Zipbox^®, a joint venture between T.H.E.M. and Zip-Pak, announces the delivery of the first proof-of-principal cartoner to facilitate short-run production of the Zipbox^® package.  The capability will enable consumer product goods companies (CPGs) to source filled Zipbox^® packages from T.H.E.M.’s FDA-registered facility in Marlton, NJ for consumer insights, product shelf-life and other testing.  Zipbox^® is an innovative package format that combines the stability of a carton with the convenience of a resealable flexible package.
“Bringing a brand new package format to market can be challenging for brand managers,” said Neil Kozarsky, President of T.H.E.M.  “As we learned with our stick pack business, by enabling short-run production, we can provide guidance to companies who want to implement the Zipbox, allowing them to conduct necessary research and bring it to market faster.”
Zipbox^® is a poly-coated paperboard carton incorporating an attached flexible film header containing a DoubleZip™ zipper profile.  The proof-of-principal cartoner, from Yeaman Machine Technologies, erects the container, fills product through the bottom and seals the carton.
Zipbox^® is designed to facilitate direct-filling of products without the need for an inner liner.  By removing the liner, the package style can hold up to 40 percent more contents, maximizing the product-to-package ratio and cube utilization to reduce transportation costs.
“The Zipbox concept has generated considerable excitement from CPGs and consumers as an intuitive, easy-to-use carton unlike any package style on store shelves today,” adds Frank Kelly, Business Manager of Zipbox.  “Demonstrating the ability to produce Zipbox on a broad scale is the next step in revolutionizing the way products are brought to market.”
Zipbox is ideal for a variety of consumer applications, including cereals, snacks, cookies, frozen foods, pet foods, and powdered laundry detergents.