New series of containers offers packaging solutions Polytainers works with CBW Automation CBW Automation (www.cbwautomation.com), an automation systems company that designs and manufactures high-speed robots and downstream automation equipment for plastics injection molding technology, works to help its customers succeed. That’s certainly true for Polytainers, one of the largest manufacturers of food and dairy containers in North America.

Polytainers recently launched its newest line of containers called the “Wave Series.” Polytainers’ customer Marzetti was looking to refresh their line of veggie dips, but also looking for a packaging solution that would work on their existing filling equipment. The Wave Series container provided all of the features for which Marzetti were looking. The container provides a transparent lower window to allow consumers the ability to see the product – an objective for Marzetti.

Polytainers faced two specific challenges in developing the new containers: first to create packaging with a high-class image and to do so for the lowest possible financial investment. Working closely with CBW Automation, Polytainers found the answer: a design that featured a “wave” around the bottom of the container and the use of in-mold labeling (IML) technology using labels from Printing Company Verstraete that guaranteed an attractive package.

“The photographic quality of the Verstraete IML labels combined with a transparent window gives an immediate view of the products,” says Verstraete. “This guarantees that the packaging clearly stands out on the shelves.”

Due to the specific shape of the wave design on the container, CBW had to develop automation that provided exact placement of the label to provide beautiful aesthetics for shelf-appeal to consumers.

According to CBW’s Dave Carson, working with Polytainers on the IML automation for this project was exciting from two standpoints: “First, it required a level of precision that we had not previously encountered,” says Carson, President of CBW. “Secondly, the product was so popular that time lines became critical. We were fortunate to work with true professionals at Polytainers to meet the goals of the Wave Series containers.”

The Wave Series containers come in 8-ounce, 12-ounce, 14-ounce, 16-ounce and 24-ounce sizes, ideal for dips, salsas, olives and yogurts. Major brand owners are already showing a keen interest in the Wave series of containers, making its success assured.

Recently, Polytainers Wave Series containers won the Best Product Family Gold Award in the In-Mold Decorating Association’s (IMDA) Seventh Annual Awards Competition. The IMDA is a trade association representing molders, printers, material suppliers, equipment suppliers and others committed to the development and growth of in-mold labeling and decorating products, technologies and markets. The IMDA’s Awards Competition honors the industry’s best in-mold labeled packaging and in-mold decorated durable products.